Nene Dorgeles and Maurits Kjaergaard score to give Austria’s runners-up Red Bull Salzburg a 2-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League play-off first leg in Lublin, Poland.
The chances of Red Bull Salzburg playing in the Champions League for the sixth time in a row this fall are extremely good after the play-off first leg. Austria’s runners-up achieved a 2-0 (1-0) victory over Dynamo Kiev in Lublin, Poland, on Wednesday and therefore have everything in their hands in the second leg next Tuesday (9pm) in Salzburg.
In an intense, relatively even game, Nene (29) put Salzburg ahead with the first shot on goal. A penalty converted by Kjaergaard gave the visitors from Austria a 2-0 lead in the 50th minute.
Salzburg started with the same line-up as in the previous week’s second leg against Twente Enschede and were keen to take control early on a rainy evening. Coach Pepijn Lijnders’ team attacked their opponents high up in their half and initially had more possession. However, some careless mistakes allowed Kiev to launch quick and dangerous counter-attacks. For example, veteran Yarmolenko found himself in a good position in the penalty area in the eighth minute thanks to a pass from Shaparenko, but wasted the chance.
Salzburg left-back Terzic was no longer fit after 25 minutes and Van der Brempt came on for him, forcing goalkeeper Blaswich into a save immediately after his substitution. Baidoo then blocked a shot from Vanat (28) from close range, but then Salzburg took the lead with their next action: Piatkowski served Yeo, who outpaced an opponent and played Nene into his path, who coolly finished with a left-footed shot. In the 34th minute, Kjaergaard shot from distance – Dynamo goalkeeper Bushchan made a successful intervention.
Capaldo misses out on a higher victory
Salzburg stepped up the pressure before the break, but the second goal would not come until after the break. In the 48th minute, referee Sandro Schärer pointed to the penalty spot after a penalty area tackle on Yeo. Kjaergaard, who had missed a penalty in Enschede, converted with his left foot.
Kiev now threw everything forward: Yarmolenko (51) shot just over the bar, Piatkowski saved from Vanat (54). At the other end, Bushchan (57) threw himself into a Salzburg attack down the right. After that, the match lulled along for 15 minutes. Substitute Bragaru missed a great chance to open the scoring in the 74th minute from the far corner. On the Salzburg side, Capaldo shot over twice in the final stages. Shaparenko missed the very last opportunity in stoppage time – Blaswich held the ball safely in his arms.
