On Saturday, the champions won the home game in the 5th round against Austria Klagenfurt 2-0 (0-0). After a first half that was atypical for Salzburg, Fernando (51′) and substitute Noah Okafor (67′) scored for coach Matthias Jaissle’s team, who set the tone after the break.
Jaissle had not changed his starting eleven – with captain Maximilian Wöber at left-back – again. His almost 30-year-old counterpart Peter Pacult was forced to switch because of the short-term absence of goalkeeper Wenzel due to migraines. Marco Knaller celebrated his Bundesliga debut – and should be recommended for further assignments. Sinan Karweina offensively replaced the injured Simon Stradi.
The Carinthians, who defeated Salzburg 2-1 in Klagenfurt last season, countered this time with disciplined pressing. Salzburg couldn’t create quick, fluid combinations and didn’t make it into the dangerous areas for the time being. In the 9th minute, Knaller had to clear a Wöber volley, but the chance was preceded by an offside. The guests provided the Salzburgers with a good pass, Benjamin Sesko was in good hands with Thorsten Mahrer.
If so, only mistakes by Austria led to chances for the series champion. Fernando missed one in the penalty area in the 35th minute, but the Brazilian failed to put a powerful shot on goal. Knaller also did not play in a one-off action by Maurits Kjaergaard (39′). On the other side of the field, Christopher Cvetko shot over it a minute later.
The second half began with Andreas Ulmer coming in, who took over the position on the left in the back four and also the captain’s bow from Wöber. Five minutes later, the ball wriggled in the net. After a pass from Kjaergaard, which Maximiliano Moreira could have intercepted, Fernando defeated the Austria goalkeeper with a powerful shot into the near post. It was the third goal of the season for the newcomer from Shakhtar Donetsk.
After Florian Rieder (61st) had missed the chance to equalize, Sesko found his master from close range on Knaller. It was the last touch of the ball for the future Leipzig player. Okafor, who came on for him, made it 2-0, which was only valid after a VAR check because of a possible offside.
Salzburg controlled the game, but now found a lot more open space in the attacking third than before the break. In the closing stages, when Jaissle enabled Dijon Kameri (18) to make their league debut, action increased on both sides. Fernando (71′) hit the ball well over the goal after an Ulmer cross, seconds later Klagenfurt “joker” Jonas Arweiler shot the goal. Again Fernando was unstoppable, but in the 75th minute he only hit the side netting. Salzburg goalie Philipp Köhn narrowed the space against Arweiler.
Source: Nachrichten
