Champions too strong: There was nothing to gain for WSG Tirol against Salzburg

Sekou Koita (RBS) in a duel with Johannes Naschberger (Wattens/r.).

© GEPA pictures/ Patrick Steiner

In the 19th round, WSG Tirol lost 3-1 to Red Bull Salzburg in the Tivoli. It was only an own goal in the 45th minute that put the Watteners on the losing road. Denis Tomic scored the WSG consolation goal in injury time.

Innsbruck – The champions were too strong: WSG Tirol had to admit defeat to FC Red Bull Salzburg in Innsbruck’s Tivoli 1:3 in the 18th round. An own goal by Watten defender Kofi Schulz (45’+1′) put the home side on the losing road, Benjamin Sesko (56′) and debutant Karim Konate (85′) completed Salzburg’s fifth league win in a row. WSG, who scored the consolation goal in injury time through Denis Tomic (91st), had to leave the field as a loser for the first time after six games with five wins, but in fourth place they still have a six-point lead over seventh place. Table leaders Salzburg still have a six-point lead over their nearest rivals, Sturm Graz.

🟢 About the gameplay: As announced, Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle rotated properly and made six changes compared to the 1-0 win against Roma. The most prominent “newcomer” was attacking midfielder Oscar Gloukh, who made his debut in the starting XI. The WSG only made one change, with Johannes Naschberger replacing Valentino Müller in central midfield.

The first half was characterized by fruitless offensive attempts by the newly formed Salzburg team, who mostly lacked pace and were kept in check by the attentive WSG defence. Tiroler Nadelstiche tried to go forward, but a shot by Tim Prica was no problem for goalkeeper Philipp Köhn (23′).

The second WSG chance was also the best of the first half, after a long throw-in a header from Thomas Sabitzer hissed relatively narrowly over the Salzburg goal (39′). After this action, Sabitzer had to leave the field with a suspected broken cheekbone and was replaced by Justin Forst (42nd). The visitors’ lead just before the break was more than happy with just one shot on goal from Andreas Ulmer (6th/goalie Ferdinand Oswald saved). Oswald misjudged a corner from Maurits Kjaergaard, the ball flipped from Forst to Schulz and finally into the goal.

It was also Forst who almost started the second half with a bang, but the 19-year-old shot a volley over it from a good eight meters (47′). That was to take revenge nine minutes later, Salzburg extended the lead with the participation of substitutes Nicolas Seiwald and Sesko: A Seiwald diagonal cross into the penalty area brought Luka Sucic into the centre, Zan Rogelj was unable to clear, the ball came to Sesko via Junior Adamu, who shot from a few meters.

Tyrol struggled to get the goal back, but Salzburg only rarely used the space available. Sucic missed by a hair’s breadth from a tight angle (62′), the “Joker” Konate, released in the middle, left the 3-0 with a shot from the pole for the time being. A little later, the 18-year-old headed in after Kjaergaard’s corner in the five (80′).

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