Salzburg defeated Sturm Graz 4-3 in a high-scoring Bundesliga match on Sunday, extending their lead in the Austrian table despite their coach’s early red card.
The game, played in Graz before 15,548 fans, featured seven total goals and significant tactical drama, sport.ORF.at reported.
The match was a reunion of sorts for both teams, who had suffered Europa League defeats midweek. Both coaches made changes to their lineups due to injuries and fatigue.
Salzburg, missing three regular defenders, started with a back four that looked untested early. Sturm, also hampered by personnel issues, named an unchanged XI from their previous loss, save for one forced switch in midfield. The game quickly became an offensive showcase.
Early Offensive Fireworks
Salzburg struck first in the fifth minute. After an early throw-in, winger Bartosz Mazurek exploited space on the left flank and delivered a low pass across the face of goal. Forward Haris Tabakovic, positioned at the far post, controlled the ball with his heel to beat Sturm goalkeeper Ammar Helac. The Bosnian striker’s goal gave the visitors an early lead, sport.ORF.at reported.
đ± The TOP GAME DELIVERED! Sturm 3-4 Red Bull Salzburg.#Sturm #Graz #Salzburg #Bundesliga #Austria pic.twitter.com/vPpipUM5HA
Sturm responded by equalizing in the 14th minute. Midfielder Oumar Diakite rose to head a corner kick, but his initial effort struck the crossbar. The ball fell to him again, and this time he nodded it over the line. A review by the video assistant referee (VAR) was necessary after a Salzburg defender cleared the ball from behind the line, but the goal was confirmed to make it 1-1.
Just four minutes later, the home side took the lead. Sturmâs Jon Gorenc Stankovic played a perfectly weighted ball in behind the Salzburg defense. Diakite, the leagueâs leading scorer, took a touch and slotted the ball calmly into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.
His strike made it 2-1, and Sky Sport Austria noted that Diakite became only the second player in Bundesliga history to score nine goals in his first seven league games, matching a feat achieved by Oliver Bierhoff in 1990.
Red Card and a Shift in Momentum
Salzburgâs tactical approach in the first half was a mixed bag. The defense, particularly their makeshift backline, struggled with Sturmâs direct style and positional play. Offensively, however, they remained a constant threat through fluid rotations and the movement of Mazurek and winger Jesper Lindström.
The gameâs turning point came in the 29th minute. Salzburg right-back Leandro Morgalla received the ball in a central position after a clever through-pass from Mazurek. He advanced unchallenged and slotted the ball past Helac to level the score at 2-2. The goal, scored against the run of play, shifted the momentum back to the visitors.
Controversy erupted in the 32nd minute. Salzburg coach Danny Röhl, frustrated with his teamâs defensive breakdown, left his technical area to protest to the referee. Referee Walter Altmann issued a red card for the unauthorized entry onto the field, sending Röhl to the stands. Assistant coach Sebastian Heidinger took over the reins for the remainder of the match.
Redzic Scores Late to Put Salzburg Ahead
The second half began with Salzburg in control. Goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky, who replaced the injured Nico Mantl, made two saves to preserve the 2-2 draw, first denying a Sturm striker in the 37th minute and then again from close range in the 50th minute.
Salzburg broke the deadlock in the 67th minute. Substitute Yorbe Vertessen, on for the injured Mamadou Diabate, found Damir Redzic with a pass. Redzic cut inside from the left, drew a defender, and curled a shot into the far corner of the net, putting Salzburg ahead 3-2.
Sturm refused to surrender. In the 70th minute, they leveled the score again. Stankovic met a long ball from defender Arjan Malic with a clever header, chipping the ball over the out-of-position Zawieschitzky. The goal brought the crowd to its feet, making it 3-3.
The winning goal came in the 74th minute. Jesper Lindström, who had been a constant threat, collected the ball in the center of the park. He accelerated past three Sturm defenders and unleashed a powerful shot that found the top corner, securing a 4-3 victory for Salzburg.
Fabio Ingolitsch Criticizes Defensive Performance
Sturm coach Fabio Ingolitsch lamented his teamâs defensive performance in the aftermath. âIt hurts because the players gave so much,â he said, according to sport.ORF.at. âWith this difficult squad situation, they are performing at an extremely high level. Itâs a shame we canât execute the basics. Our clear issue is dueling. We defended like children.
The Salzburg players sometimes ran past us like in a slalom; we were like fire hydrantsâunacceptable defensive behavior. We saw today that we are in no way worse than Salzburg, that we could have easily won such a game at home. But unfortunately, we learned nothing from the game on Thursday where we also let them take the bread off our table.â
Salzburgâs Röhl, who had been sent off, praised his teamâs resilience. âI saw a fantastic performance from my team. Sturm in Graz is always unpleasant; itâs never easy,â he said. âI have to give my team a huge compliment. What I am proudest of is that we defended like men at the end.
You see on Friday evening a Rapid team that takes the lead and pulls away by six points, and we manage to take points again and again. Rapid is having an outstanding season and still canât get away from us; we are driving in their slipstream. Weâll see how long this duel continues. Four wins from our four top games is a statement.â
With 19 points, they now trail the top trioâRapid Vienna (33), Salzburg (30), and LASK (25)âby a substantial margin. The loss extends their winless streak to five games across all competitions. It was also their first home league defeat in nearly a year.
Whatâs Next
Both teams will now turn their attention to their next fixtures. Following the international break, Sturm Graz will travel to play SC Rheindorf Altach. Salzburg will host a struggling Austria Wien side at their Red Bull Arena, looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.
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