He scored 14 times FC Red Bull Salzburg and TSV Egger Glas Hartberg in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga since the East Styrians were promoted in 2018. The Red Bulls have won 13 times and drawn one. But this season the series champions have had a really hard time against the Schopp team twice. In the league, a laborious, late 3-2 home win on November 25th. and before that in the ÖFB Cup, Salzburg even needed a penalty shootout to advance. In the fourth duel of the season (including the Cup), the 22nd minute was the sticking point: Red for TSV defender Bowat. “Free rein” for the Red Bulls in what they deserve 5:1-Home win.
He did it again: Petar Ratkov. All of his five Bundesliga goals so far this season came before the break and were always the first goal for Salzburg. The Red Bulls had five different goalscorers in their 5-1 win against TSV Hartberg today.
Red after VAR decision for Bowat – Hartberg after 22 minutes to ten
“We want to be brave, but not stupid”, TSV coach Markus Schopp confidently announced the route, which, after a promising, ambitious and courageous start for the Blue-Whites, suffered a significant setback after 22 minutes – a sticking point in the game. Ibone Bowat fails to control the long flying ball during a defensive action and brings down RBS striker Fernando in the running duel. The central defender initially sees the yellow card before the experienced Bundesliga referee Harald Lechner switches to red after a VAR check and video study in the review area. Emergency brake! The 21-year-old defender on loan from Fulham U21 FC was the last man.
This means that the decimated East Styrians have a new central defender in Steinwender for midfield youngster Fillafer. While Austria’s football flagship from the Salzach increases the number of hits. Set piece specialist Maurits Kjaergaard with a sensitive cross to Strahinja Pavlović, but the advanced Serbian central defender is denied from close range by the quick-to-react Raphael Sallinger (25′).
Ratkov opens the scoring after a Kjaergaard free kick
Who then takes the ball out of the net three minutes later. Another free kick from Maurits Kjaergaard from the right half of the field, pulled diagonally onto Petar Ratkov’s head. And the 1-0 lead goal specialist finished at the back bar for his fifth goal of the season (the second against Hartberg in the Red Bull Arena).
The guests remain surprisingly unimpressed by the setbacks they receive. Practice your tried and tested quick switching game even against the favorites and when outnumbered. After a fine, determined combination, the end user Donis Avdijaj even heaves the ball under the crossbar, which is worth seeing. But since the 27-year-old Kosovo international was clearly offside, the score remained 1-0.
But not until the half-time whistle. Because beforehand, the Red Bulls celebrate a sparkling clean combination, at the end of which Fernando sets up for Bidstrup and the 23-year-old Dane hits his professional debut goal precisely into the right corner in his 20th BL game – 30th goal of the season for the guests, 2nd :0 half-time score.
Alert level one when Maurits Kjaergaard prepares the ball at the standard. The 20-year-old Dane served for Petar Ratkov to make it 1-0. The Red Bulls have already scored ten header goals and goals from a dead ball this BL season.
After a slapstick defensive action, Fernando makes everything clear – deserved consolation goal through Heil
The “used Sunday” took its course for the brave TSV after the break. After a slapstick defensive action, Fernando is literally gifted with his fourth goal of the season – 3-0. The 16th victory in the 2023/24 season is thus sealed early, with the leaders aiming to remain without conceding a goal for the fourth time in a row and are “approaching 50” (goals) at the front. Substitute Karim Konaté’s possible 49th BL goal of the season only has the crossbar standing in his way when he heads the ball (73′).
While the Ivorian is being treated outside for injuries, the Hartbergers mount a successful counterattack in the short-term “ten against ten” via the agile Avdijaj. The native German takes the shot, ÖFB team goalkeeper Alexander Schlager goes long and saves before TSV captain Jürgen Heil scores a consolation goal from close range to make it 3-1 and his first goal of the season (78th). Salzburg’s carelessness in defense was almost acknowledged a little later with a goal, but substitute Providence was denied by keeper Schlager (81′).
50th goal of the season for the Red Bulls
On the other hand, his counterpart Raphael Sallinger prevented RBS’s fourth goal in a one-on-one against Sekou Koïta. Which then falls, thanks to Oscar Gloukh. “Oscar-ready”! With delicate shooting technique, the 19-year-old Israeli crowned his performance with the 4:1 (86th, via the inside bar).
In stoppage time, Joker Sekou Koïta (90th + 4th) also scores. 50th goal of the season for the Red Bulls, who, like on August 20th, defeated TSV again 5-1 in the regular half in Hartberg.
After the goal spectacle from RB Salzburg and SK Sturm, the top game follows on Easter Sunday
After the Bundesliga break due to international matches, TSV Hartberg will welcome SK Rapid on Easter Sunday, March 31st (2:30 p.m.), while FC Red Bull Salzburg will play their closest rival – SK Sturm Graz (today 4-0 winner at Austria Klagenfurt) – guest (5 p.m.).
In the first game of the championship group we defeated Hartberg 5:1! 🔴⚪️
— FC Red Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) March 17, 2024
ADMIRAL Bundesliga 23rd round, championship group 1st round
Sunday, March 17, 2024, 5 p.m., Red Bull Arena Wals-Siezenheim, Z: 8,134; SR: Harald Lechner/Vienna
FC Red Bull Salzburg vs. TSV Egger Glas Hartberg 5:1 (2:0)
FC Red Bull Salzburg (4-4-2): Schlager (K) – Daniliuc (60. Dedić), Solet, Pavlović, Guindo (87. Forson) – Bidstrup, Gourna-Douath, Gloukh, Kjaergaard (60. Diambou) – Fernando (60). Konate ́), Ratkov (72. Koita) Trainer: Gerhard Struber.
TSV Hartberg (4-4-2): Sallinger – Heil (K), Komposch, Bowat, Pfeifer – Diakité (69. Halwachs) – Fillafer (24. Steinwender), Avdijaj, Sangaré (69. Kainz), Prokop (57. Frieser) – Entrup (57. Providence). Trainer: Markus Schopp.
Torfolge: 1:0 Ratkov (28th, Kjaergaard free kick), 2:0 Bidstrup (45th+1, Fernando), 3:0 Fernando (51st, Gloukh), 3:1 Heil (75th), 4:1 Gloukh (84′), 5:1 Koïta (90’+4, Goukh).
yellow cards: Pavlović (20th, SR review) / Halwachs (90th, foul), Pfeifer (90th+2, foul).
Red card: Bowat (22nd, emergency brake).
FEATURE FILM in LIGAPORTAL LIVE TICKER