Europa League: Salzburg promises Roma a hot dance

In contrast to the league, you are not in the role of favourites. “It’s like we don’t feel that pressure,” Jaissle said. He could enjoy international evenings a little more. The decision on entering the Europa League round of 16, which Salzburg have not reached since 2019, will be made in Rome next Thursday (9 p.m.). “We want to be very, very brave in both games. But it is an absolute challenge for us to survive here,” said Jaissle.

“We have to be wide awake in all phases in order to defend them as best we can and to take advantage of the few chances that Roma offer us,” demanded the Salzburg coach. They want to keep the Italian fourth in the table as far away from their own goal as possible. “It’s important that there’s great energy here when the hut is full, so that they don’t even let their patterns appear on the pitch.” Set pieces should also be avoided as much as possible.

“We’re going full throttle”

His players are looking forward to returning to the international stage, including World Cup contender Noah Okafor, who scored three goals in the Champions League group stage. “It won’t be an easy game, but we’re going full throttle,” said the Swiss. Together with the team and the coach, he wants to “rock” the game. The Roma are a “big opponent”, added captain Andreas Ulmer. “This is an experienced team with great individual players who can always make the difference. There will be a lot coming our way.”

Central defender Strahinja Pavlovic is also aware of this. The Serb, who has been a tower in Salzburg’s defense since the summer, spoke of a “really good and clever” opponent. “We want to hit Roma as best we can with our kind of football,” said the 21-year-old. “But at the same time it’s important not to risk too much because there’s also a second leg.” Salzburg are hoping to survive an international knockout round in the spring for the first time in four years.

Jaissle is looking forward to a coaching duel with Mourinho

The hurdle is once again a high one, but you’re looking forward to the challenge, which also has something to do with the opponent’s coach. “When you have a colleague on the sidelines who is one of the world’s best, it’s special,” Jaissle said of Mourinho.

“I have incredible respect for his career. What he has achieved is unique.” The Portuguese was the only coach to win all three European Cup competitions, last year’s Conference League with Roma. There are also three championship titles in England with Chelsea, two in Italy and one in Spain.

Mourinho’s title collection is also what impresses Jaissle most about the 60-year-old. “I wouldn’t say no if that came out at the end of my career,” said the 34-year-old with a smile. How the star coach adjusts his teams is “outstanding”. The football that Mourinho stands for is by no means just defensive. Jaissle warned against brave defending by wingers who press high.

“Not comparable” with team from Serie A

Mourinho himself paid tribute to the “Bulls”. “It’s a good, dangerous team that didn’t have it easy in the Champions League group stage,” said the Portuguese on Wednesday in Salzburg. The Bundesliga series champion would have “many young quality players”. “If you want to keep an eye out for young, talented players, you have to look to Salzburg,” emphasized “The Special One”. These are 21 or 22 years old. “But that doesn’t mean they don’t have enough experience. On the contrary: you have already played in the Champions League for a number of years.”

The “bulls” were analyzed in detail. “Salzburg are not made to win the Champions League, but they are a very good team that has proven in recent years that they can keep up with the big teams. We’ve seen everything, but we don’t know what match plan they will come up with tomorrow,” said Mourinho. The squad of head coach Matthias Jaissle is “not comparable” to a team in Serie A.

Roma are always good for a goal away from home

For the bookmakers, Roma is only a slight favorite for the first leg. Salzburg has only lost one of its last eight European Cup home games – most recently against Chelsea in the Champions League at the end of October (1-2). However, the Romans can point to a strong away record: they have always scored at least one goal in the last 24 European Cup games abroad.

Georginio Wijnaldum also made the trip to Salzburg on Wednesday. The ex-Liverpooler made his comeback in the dress rehearsal against Lecce (1-1) six months after breaking a shin, but will certainly not be in the starting line-up. On the offensive, Mourinho should again rely on captain Lorenzo Pellegrini and center forward Tammy Abraham alongside world champion Paulo Dybala, in central midfield on Nemanja Matic and Bryan Cristante. “There will be small changes,” announced Mourinho.

Few changes are to be expected at Salzburg either. All regular players are fit, striker Fernando made a successful comeback from the start after a five-month break due to a thigh injury in the league with two goals against Austria Lustenau (4-0). “I’m glad he’s back,” Okafor said of his fellow striker. “We’re both fast players who like to go deep.” That way you can divide up the task well.

Mourinho not the first time in Salzburg

Mourinho is not the first time in Salzburg. On December 9, 1993 he was a co-coach under Bobby Robson at Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup round of 16 and was eliminated after a 2-0 win in the first leg after a 0-3 after extra time including a decisive goal by Martin Amerhauser in the 113th minute against Austria Salzburg still out. “I don’t have a good memory of that, we lost and then got sacked.”

But the Roma coach also has good memories. In January 2007 he was honored at the World Football Gala in the Festspielhaus as the second best coach (then Chelsea) behind Frank Rijkaard (FC Barcelona). “I had a wonderful few days with my family in Austria,” explained Mourinho.