Red Bull Salzburg vs Bayern Munich: Another Defeat?

Published: January 6, 2026 4:52 p.m

Updated: January 6, 2026 5:26 p.m

In the friendly friendly against FC Bayern Munich, FC Red Bull Salzburg suffered a 5-0 defeat on Epiphany.

Bayern Munich was once again a step too big for FC Red Bull Salzburg. In a new edition of the test duel on Epiphany, Austria’s runner-up suffered a 5-0 defeat on Tuesday in front of 29,090 spectators in Wals-Siezenheim (Flachgau). At least coach Thomas Letsch’s protégés sold a little better than in the 6-0 defeat exactly a year ago. It was the fourth winter test between the two teams; Salzburg remained unbeaten in 2014 (3:0) and 2023 (4:4).

Before the break there would have been more for Salzburg, but as has often been the case this season, there was a lack of efficiency. The Munich team took the lead through Hiroki Ito (44th), whose volley was deflected unstoppably by Jannik Schuster. Substitute 17-year-old Lennart Karl then put his stamp on the game with a brace (71′, 87′). Felipe Chavez (75th) and Tom Bischof (92nd) also scored. It was a successful dress rehearsal for the German record champions before the start of the league on Sunday against VfL Wolfsburg. Salzburg will travel to the Türkiye training camp on Thursday.

Letsch: “Second half was just bad”

“My mood was quite good after the first half. We were active, acted, played well and should have gone into the break with at least a 0-0, or rather a lead. The second half was simply bad, we were just running behind. The bottom line is 0:5. That’s far from the result we were hoping for,” Letsch summed up in the ServusTV interview. Full-back Stefan Lainer, who was substituted at half-time, was also upset and said: “Instead of the second half, we could have gone running into the forest.”

The Munich team set the tone in the first half hour without really being compelling; Alexander Schlager only had to distinguish himself from a shot by Michael Olise (19th). The hosts then became more courageous and deserved the lead in a strong quarter of an hour. Bayern goalie Jonas Urbig saved a shot from Sota Kitano (32′). A minute later, the Japanese player’s shot was blocked, and Edmund Baidoo’s follow-up shot allowed David Daiber to clear in front of the line. Kitano also hit the side netting (39′).

Defeat in the best phase of Salzburg

Just in their best phase, the Bulls fell behind. After Schlager’s foot defense on a shot by the otherwise colorless star striker Harry Kane, the ball came via a detour to Ito, who was lucky to make his shot. At the break, both teams largely swapped personnel, with Munich also using regular right-back Konrad Laimer. Before him, Karl was able to prove himself on the wing, which enlivened the guests’ game. Christian Zawieschitzky was able to excel against Luis Diaz (49th), Karl (58th) and Serge Gnabry (64th). Laimer also shot over it (62′).

In the last 20 minutes, however, things happened in quick succession and the Salzburg defense was really overwhelmed. Karl hit with his foot and, as he is only 1.68 meters tall, also with his head. In between, the young star initiated Chavez’s goal with a cross. Bishop scored the final score with a volley goal. Salzburg’s only notable action in the second half was a free kick from the crossbar by Kerim Alajbegovic (77′). Letsch’s hope for a significant increase compared to 2025 remained unfulfilled. His team still has time until the start of the competitive game, on January 22nd they face FC Basel in the Europa League.

(Quelle: apa)