At the same time, the people of Graz scored a 4-1 home win against Austria Klagenfurt. Salzburg is still only three points ahead of the Styrians, but with a complete success next weekend in Salzburg, the “Bulls” can no longer be caught with a six-point lead and two games left – because in the end the series champion will be the same Number of points pre-ranked, as Salzburg had been rounded off after the basic round.
For the time being, Salzburg were happy about the hard-earned victory in Linz. “The relief is huge. When you see who is missing from all of us and that we whistle from the last hole: hats off to the team,” said Freund, not without satisfaction. “In Graz everyone expected us to lose and we won 2-0. Today it was served for everyone in Austria. Of course we made it exciting, but we fought – a really great win.”
Salzburg is getting closer to the title
Benjamin Sesko ensured that Red Bull Salzburg came a step closer to winning the title again.
Hull force withstands pressure
In front of 15,500 spectators in the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle had to specify more than half the starting eleven, which also enabled the 19-year-old Austrian Samson Baidoo to make his debut in the starting line-up. After an early mistake, the young international quickly recovered and, like his young team-mates, ultimately played the game home. “Compliments to the team,” said Jaissle of his players, who withstood the pressure.
As usual, the German coached with full physical effort until the last minute. “It was a close and competitive game, LASK presented us with a challenge, but the win is okay in the end,” explained the 35-year-old, whose name is being mentioned more and more often in the rumor mill (Freund: “There are no concrete ones Offers”).
“The players look forward to games like this where there is pressure,” said the coach, who also admitted that the “many absences make him a few years older. One wishes that there would be a miracle cure for one or the other before the cracker in Graz.”
Sesko blooms again in spring
In the top game against LASK, who, like Salzburg, missed several chances to score, Benjamin Sesko made the difference. The 19-year-old Slovenian really blossomed in the spring after a form crisis in autumn and has scored for the tenth time this year. “It’s part of development, sometimes you think too much. I’m about to grow up, so every step is part of it,” said the 1.95 meter tall striker, who is moving to RB Leipzig in the summer.
Against LASK, the national team player first hit the post and then missed further opportunities before he was there in the middle of the second half after assists from Sekou Koita. “I had three chances before, I should have taken one, but you have to forget that and just take the next one,” said Sesko, who also received praise from the coach. “He had to get through a difficult situation in the fall, it is not natural to perform like this.”
Anticipation for “Finale dahoam”
Salzburg still has to “perform” once this season, then the most important goal of the season will be achieved. “We want the championship, that’s the most important title for us, and you can tell that by how everyone fights. Victories like this are really cool for the team. It was difficult when you have so many injuries, that really welded the team together again,” said Freund.
“Becoming champions at home against Sturm – it couldn’t be nicer,” said Nicolas Seiwald, who was captain of the team during this phase. His coach knows: “The players look forward to games where there is pressure, it will be like that next week, but a healthy mixture of pressure and anticipation is important. We can close the sack, but it will be a big challenge against Sturm Graz.” Even a draw would be worth a lot, then you could win the title at home against Austria Klagenfurt.
With Strahinja Pavlovic and Nicolas Capaldo two suspended players will come back, the confidence is there. “We have the quality and the focus. If we get everything we can on the pitch, there shouldn’t be any doubts,” said Sesko. There’s nothing to celebrate yet, but Freund has promised: “If we make it next week, we’ll really celebrate.”
Storm will go all out
Of course, the cup winner wants to prevent that. After the mandatory win against Austria Klagenfurt, second place is almost certain. Seen in this way, Sturm has nothing to lose and can go all out in Salzburg. “We want and need to win in Salzburg on Sunday, but at least second place is looking good. It’s about putting in a top performance. We’re going there with full confidence, we already have a title,” said Sturm coach Christian Ilzer, who announced: “We’ll be willing to take risks.”
Master Group, 29th round
Sunday:
LASK – Salzburg 0:1 (0:0)
Linz, Raiffeisen Arena, 15,500, SR Weinberger
Tor: Sesko (65.)
SHOT: Lawal – Stojkovic, Ziereis (46./Talowjerow), Luckeneder, Renner – Jovicic, Michorl (83./Ljubicic) – Flecker (83./Goiginger), Horvath, Nakamura (70./Usor) – Mustapha
Salzburg: Köhn – Dedic, Solet, Baidoo, Bernardo – Kameri (61./Kjaergaard), Gourna-Douath (90./Forson), Koita (79./Konate), Seiwald – Adamu (61./Gloukh), Sesko
Yellow cards: Ziereis or Kameri
The best: Flecker, Michorl, Horvath or Koita, Sesko, Solet