Red Bull Salzburg have won the top game against Sturm Graz 3-1 thanks to a strong second half. Nene and Onisiwo scored in the final phase to give Letsch’s team the home win.
It was only in the Bundesliga’s 20th round’s top game that Salzburg made a clear statement. The Bulls sent champions Sturm Graz home with a 3:1 (0:1) victory, turning the game around thanks to late goals from Vertessen (72nd), substitute Nene (84th) and Onisiwo (87th). Thanks to their first victory over Sturm since March 31 of last year, Salzburg secured their place in the championship group and closed the gap on the league leaders to just six points.
After a difficult fall and a slow start to the spring, Salzburg clearly demonstrated their championship ambitions. Schlager and Co. last managed two consecutive victories at the end of September.
Both teams had recently returned to winning ways, so the coaches saw little need for personnel changes. Only Thomas Letsch ordered Onisiwo, who was injured in the 1-0 win over Austria, into Salzburg’s attack instead of Daghim, while the Blackys lined up with the same starting eleven as in the 2-1 win over Blau-Weiß Linz.
Sturm in Hälfte a besser
On the way to the first league win in Salzburg since November 21, 2020, Sturm proved to be the better organized and more straightforward team at the beginning. Johnston tested Schlager (5th) early on, and a little later the Salzburg goalie was beaten. After Böving’s corner floated quite low onto the first post, the ball slipped through the loosely defending Salzburg defense, and Gorenc Stankovic, positioned centrally, shot. A prime example of Sturm’s threat from set pieces.
Salzburg launched its will to find a solution through play, especially through the center, in front of 11,363 spectators, but the result was modest for the time being. Again and again, they lost possession, which Sturm almost took advantage of. It was blazing hot in the 37th minute when Jatta’s shot was deflected into an ideal position.
Vertessen’s first shot went wide (21), and at the half-hour mark Onisiwo set up Yeo, who hit the bar after a run of power. Salzburg had their strongest spell shortly before half-time. Onisiwo himself missed from ten meters (42), shortly after only Scherpen stood between Gloukh and the equalizer (43).
Salzburg turned up the heat after the break
The home side didn’t leave the momentum they had gained in the dressing room, and now clearly dominated the action after the restart with a more offensive approach. Sturm hardly had any chances to counter, and the equalizer was in the air. Gloukh missed the target (54′), Morgalla’s shot was blocked (59′), a header from Vertessen whistled just wide of the far post (62′) – the former serial champions were still playing too complicated.
It was a counterattack that broke the spell. It was finished with a lot of feeling by Vertessen, who ran alone towards Scherpen and lifted the ball over him. Salzburg were on the verge of turning the game around, Nene made the turnaround perfect, and Onisiwo crowned his strong performance shortly before the end. Kiteishvili had previously missed one of the rare chances in front of goal, aiming a few centimeters too high (77′).
