0:2 against Real Sociedad: setback for Salzburg in the Champions League

Football champions Salzburg suffered their first defeat in the second Champions League group game: Austria’s league leaders had to admit defeat 0-2 (0-2) against Real Sociedad.

The decision came early thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal (7th) and Brais Mendez (27th). “I think we just didn’t play courageously enough,” said goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, who at least rated the performance after the break as good.

Salzburg caught cold

There was positive news for Salzburg before kick-off: Mads Bidstrup, who suffered a blow in the 4-0 win in Lustenau at the weekend, was able to play from the start. “He is very important for the way we play,” said coach Gerhard Struber, who saw how the northern Spaniards got off to a better start.

Oyarzabal first failed to hit the ball, only to hit the ball low into the corner to take the lead just a minute later. The 26-year-old continued his top form, having scored three goals in the last three La Liga games. A false start for the Mozartstadters, who had noticeable difficulties getting their game on. The guests from San Sebastian, who were only inferior to Real Madrid this season, were brilliant at blocking the home team’s passing routes.

Salzburg struggled, but there were initially no chances. Instead, Sociedad struck coldly on the counterattack: Starting from their own half, Mendez dribbled into the opponent’s penalty area, where he flatly beat Schlager to make it 2-0 (27th). An effective goal, as just three minutes later Oyarzabal had the chance to make it 3-0 after a sharp cross, but missed.

But even without a third goal, it felt like a preliminary decision in Wals-Siezenheim, which is why Struber sent his substitutes to warm up after just half an hour. The Salzburg trainer waited until the break to make personnel changes and brought in three new players: Samson Baidoo, Amankwah Forson and Petar Ratkov.

Penalty taken back

Less than three minutes after the restart, Salzburg became dangerous for the first time: Roko Simic, who was breaking through, fell in the penalty area. The Polish referee Bartosz Frankowski initially decided on a penalty and a yellow card for goalkeeper Alejandro Remiro, but withdrew both after studying the video.

Nevertheless, it was a wake-up call for Salzburg, who were noticeably more aggressive in the second half, although they were rarely compelling. Ultimately, the Spaniards were closer to 3-0 than the hosts were to a goal. Carlos Fernandez (76th) pushed the ball unchallenged past the far corner.

Ultimately it remained 2-0. Salzburg continues in the Champions League away against Inter (October 24th).