AS Roma showed Salzburg the limits

The dream of reaching the round of 16 in the Europa League has burst. In the intermediate round, Austria’s champions FC Salzburg stumbled over AS Roma, who, after a 1-0 defeat in Wals-Siezenheim, had the upper hand 2-0 (2-0) in the return match. The third in the Italian Serie A showed the “Red Bulls” their limits, especially before the change of sides.

Jose Mourinho’s team got the reward they deserved for their commitment and a number of fine combinations, in which winger Leonardo Spinazzola and Argentinian world champion Paulo Dybala repeatedly had their feet in the game.

Salzburg were too passive after a decent start and conceded two goals before the break. Storm tank Andrea Belotti scored the 1-0 with a header in the 33rd minute, Salzburg’s hand complaints rightly fizzled out. The 2-0 (40th) went to Dybala, who used Spinazzola’s exemplary pass.

“We’re not doing well. We knew Roma would come with power. We run after them and don’t win the duels. We don’t trust ourselves enough,” said Salzburg’s sports director Christoph Freund in the half-time analysis on ServusTV.

Austria’s master too harmless

The people of Mozart were impressed by the atmosphere in the Stadio Olimpico, which was sold out with 62,000 spectators (including 2000 spectators from Austria). Maurits Kjaergaard (13′), Junior Adamu (51′) and Noah Okafor (72′) from Denmark, who had been substituted after 45 minutes, didn’t get more than three half-chances.

The “Giallorossi”, on the other hand, had opportunities for more direct hits. For example Dybala, who failed because of goalie Philipp Köhn – he was the best Salzburg player – and the crossbar (10th).

AS Roma made full use of their extensive international experience, and it is not for nothing that the “Wolves” are reigning champions in the still young Europa Conference League. And with Mourinho they have a tactical fox on the sidelines, who – unsurprisingly – played 2-0 home.

The pressure eased, the Italians managed to take the lead, the “Red Bulls” didn’t have enough ideas despite their superiority in the finish.