Inter finally saved a 3-3 draw in Lisbon. Benfica was clearly in the lead thanks to a hat trick by Joao Mario (5th, 13th, 34th), the guests’ goals were scored by ÖFB team players Arnautovic (51st), Davide Frattesi (58th) and Alexis Sanchez (72nd/ penalty). At Benfica, Antonio Silva (86th) saw a red card. Before the last matchday, Real Sociedad leads Group D with eleven points ahead of Inter (11 points). Behind them are Salzburg (4) and Benfica (1) in third and fourth place.
This means that on the sixth matchday there will be a direct duel between Salzburg and Benfica for third place, which is enough for the move to the Europa League. The European Cup season is only over for the fourth place in the table. A defeat by one goal difference in the home game against the Portuguese champions on December 12th is enough for Salzburg to continue playing internationally in the new year. The “Bulls” won the first leg against Benfica 2-0.
Pole shot from Nene
Salzburg had their first big chance in the 15th minute in front of 38,000 spectators in the Reale Arena. After a counterattack, Dorgele’s Nene ran alone towards the outgoing Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro. The national team player from Mali beat the goalie with a lob, but the ball bounced off the left post and out of bounds (15th).
Salzburg Group D
Overall, the hosts had more options. Arsen Sacharjan shot sharply into the right corner, Salzburg goalie Schlager deflected the ball over the crossbar (26th). A little later, Benat Turrientes’ shot went past the right bar (35′). Another shot from Sacharjan was also not placed enough (39′). Shortly before the half-time whistle, a long shot from Turrientes (44th) went just past the left corner of the cross.
Hits with great parades
In the second half, Nicolas Capa was denied from close range by Benfica goalkeeper Remiro (52′). On the other side, Salzburg goalie Schlager was on hand for a hidden long-range shot from Brais Mendez just outside the penalty area and deflected the ball towards a corner (61′). A little later, Schlager distinguished himself when Sacharjan took a volley from the six-yard box (64′). Even when Umar Sadiq shot from a tight angle, the “Bulls” goalkeeper couldn’t be overcome (83’).
In the final phase, Real Sociedad pressed for victory, but Salzburg’s defense held on bravely and managed a draw over time. The home team’s last top chances were a direct free kick from Takefusa Kubo, which Schlager was able to turn over the crossbar with one hand (92′), and a shot from the Japanese into the far corner, which Schlager saved safely (94′).
Champions League, Group D, fifth matchday
Wednesday:
Society – Salzburg 0:0
San Sebastian, Reale Arena, 38,000, SR Balakin (UKR)
Real society: Remiro – Odriozola (74./Traore), Elustondo (46./Pacheco), Zubeldia, Munoz – Mendez (65./Barrenetxea), Zubimendi, Turrientes – Cho (74./Kubo), Oyarzabal (80./Sadiq), in Sacharja
Salzburg: A. Schlager – Dedic, Piatkowski, Pavlovic (46th/Morgalla), Ulmer (84th/Baidoo) – Bidstrup, Capaldo – Sucic, Nene (62nd/Konate), Gloukh (78th/Forson) – Ratkov (62nd). /Simic)
