Image: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA (APA/AFP/PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA)
When Salzburg stormed into the semi-finals of the Europa League in 2018, San Sebastian was a successful stopover in the first knockout round. On Tuesday, Austria’s champions will be looking for their next surprise in the Champions League at home against Real Sociedad after the 2-0 opener at Benfica Lisbon (6.45 p.m.).
“We saw that if everyone acts at their highest level, it is possible to beat any opponent. Everyone noticed that we are really good as a team,” explained ex-LASK goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. Coach Gerhard Struber is hoping for a similarly strong performance: “We have to push hard to our limits in order to continue where we left off in Lisbon.”
Former Salzburg goalscorer Jonatan Soriano believes his former club can win. If Real Sociedad “doesn’t start with concentration and intensity, they could experience a surprise,” said the 38-year-old in an interview with “Mundo Deportivo”.
Ex-club of Kühbauer and Pürk
The Basques, who had two Austrians on the ball in Marcus Pürk (1995/96) and former LASK coach Dietmar Kühbauer (1997 to 2000), suffered their only defeat of the season so far in a 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid. With a 1-1 draw at the start of the Champions League, the Basques brought Inter Milan to the brink of defeat. Struber: “It’s an opponent who understates things a bit, but is currently showing fantastic performances in the league and seems very stable.” He particularly warned against the 22-year-old Japanese Takefusa Kubo. “He can score goals, he can assist in all directions.”
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