Sturm Graz secures runners-up title via “Jakobs Weg” – RB Salzburg concedes first spring defeat – Bundesliga
Summit meeting in Graz: Second SK Sturm Graz vs. Frontrunners & Subscription Masters FC Red Bull Salzburg. Before the 29th and fourth-to-last round of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga, both teams were separated by 14 points – after that 11. Despite serious personnel changes in the starting XI, both teams delivered a lively Wednesday game from which one stood out: former Salzburg top scorer Jakob Jantscher. Chose the right (“Jakobs”) way twice. Once with an assist to make it 1-0, then with a 2-1 winning goal. Failed dress rehearsal for the Bulls before the ÖFB Cup final and the first league defeat in 2022.
Missed the big chance for a 2-1 lead: the agile US boy Brenden Aaronson, here against Alexander Borkovic, who was born in Vienna. The player on loan from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim II only made his second start this season, the first also against the Red Bulls (in October).
The exciting question was: with which personnel will both teams go into the game? Due to injuries and suspensions, Sturm had six regular players to choose from. At RB Salzburg, after the championship title that was temporarily fixed last Sunday, the celebrations and the upcoming ÖFB Cup final next Sunday, a rotation against SV Guntamatic Ried was expected.
5 changes in Sturm, equal to 7 in Salzburg
The Red Bulls have made seven changes to their starting XI due to suspensions, injuries and rest. Defenders van der Brempt, Piatkowski and Bernardo rotated in for Kristensen, Solet and captain Ulmer. Capaldo and Kjærgaard came on in midfield for Sučić and the suspended Camara and this time Adamu Junior/Šeško acted as a storm duo for the injured Adeyemi/Okafor.
At Sturm, five new players came: Jäger, Borkovic, Ljubic, Kuen and Sarkaria for Salzburg-born Gazibegovic, the suspended Wüthrich, midfield players Gorenc-Stankovic (injured & suspended) and Prass (injured) and the suspended goalgetter Höjlund.
“Both teams didn’t line up as expected, but it will still be a top game,” said the 34-year-old Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle before kick-off. After which the Red Bulls immediately launched an attack, but Benjamin Šeško’s solid shot after just 80 seconds was too central and safe “prey” for Sturm goalkeeper Siebenhandl.
MATCH WINNER! Successful “Jakobs Weg” in the summit meeting! Jakob Jantscher (left) and his high balls… the 33-year-old, who was born in Graz and ex-Salzburg, delivered his 15th assist with the free-kick ball for a 1-0 lead – a record! And then scored his 12th goal of the season! On the right is 21-year-old Pole Kamil Piatkowski, who was once again able to secure himself in the Salzburg starting XI.
On the other side, Manprit Sarkaria checked with low shot keeper Köhn (11th), before Grazer – again after a standard ball – took the lead. The top assist in the league – Jakob Jantscher – circled the ball from the left with a free kick with the right to the head of Lukas Jäger, who completed his first goal of the season in front of Maximilian Wöber (14th). Salzburg in this scene in air flight only “passengers”. Another goal for Jäger after 14 months: back in February 2021 also against RB Salzburg.
The Red Bulls responded: Capaldo put in a fine cross with his right inside instep from the right, but Junior Adamu, free-standing in the center of the box, narrowly missed the goal for Graz with his direct ball (19′). Both further released, refreshingly showing off and with their visors open. Nicolas Capaldo again, returning after a knee injury, ambitious on the right and with the sharp cross, which Junior Adamu missed on the first pole, but the 18-year-old Slovenian Benjamin Šeško was there on the back pole and effortlessly converted to his 5th goal. Goal of the season (22nd).
One of the most striking players in the 1st half: Nicolas Capaldo. The 23-year-old Argentinian made a comeback on the right flank.
Red Bulls alert on storm standards
While Salzburg usually came dangerously from the right and Capaldo, Sturm proved his free-kick qualities. Again Jantscher specified captain Hierländer, whose header in the penalty area just missed the long post (29′). Although both remained willing to attack, the defensive ranks no longer allowed any significant chances – both teams neutralized each other until the break.
After the restart, Stefan Hierländer fired the first warning shot, the Graz captain’s right-footed shot from a central position and 18 meters just missed the left post (60′). While RBS coach Matthias Jaissle made a triple swap and “job sharing”. Brenden Aaronson then had a mega-chance, who was freed from the right in the penalty area, alone in front of Siebenhandl (70′), but failed with his lob on the striker and could no longer control the ball when he shot the ball.
In return, Jakob Jantscher was different, who picked up a pass from Stefan Hierländer against the deficit of the rest of Salzburg’s defense and hammered the ball into the net from the left half (71′). Piatkowski threw the veteran’s left-footed shot and unluckily deflected it for keeper Köhn.
We win against after a really strong party @RedBullSalzburg with 2:1! We crown ourselves 3 rounds before the end of the season as runner-up @ÖFBL! Thank you Schwoaze for this incredible season! 🙏🙌 #sturmgraz #AdmiralBL #DISTURBANCES
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STU 2:1 RBS | ⏱️ 90+3′ pic.twitter.com/brmFbXwkDT— SK Sturm Graz (@SKSturm) April 27, 2022
Salzburg braces itself against the first league defeat in spring. Substitute Šeško with the top chance of equalizing failed half-left in the sixteen alone in front of Siebenhandl at the “Grazer Teufelskerl”, who also parried with a “big save” (77th). Then substitute Diangbo pulled from the “second row”, the The ball whizzes just past the right (82′).
The Ilzer-Elf defended well in the final phase, in which Salzburg are known for many goals, and in addition to the 15th win of the season secured the runner-up title before the deepest three rounds.
What a successful season and what a run Styrians have had so far in the championship group: 5 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat (unlucky with a 0-1 start in Salzburg)! After five defeats in a duel with the Bulls, a storm win again, along with the fifth home win in a row – home power Sturm Graz!
SK Sturm Graz – FC Red Bull Salzburg 2: 1 (1: 1)
Wednesday April 27, 20226:30 p.m., Merkur Arena Graz-Liebenau, Viewers: 10,625, SR: Manuel Schuttengruber (Linz)
SK Sturm Graz (4-4-2): seven handl; L. Jäger, Affengruber, Borkovic, Dante; Hierländer (chapter), Ljubic, Niangbo (74th Kronberger), Kuen (90th Stückler); Sarkaria, Jantscher (88th long). Trainer: Christian Ilzer.
FC Red Bull Salzburg (4-4-2): koehn Van der Brempt, Piatkowski, Woeber, Bernardo; Capaldo (Bernede 62), N. Seiwald (Junuzovic 62), Aaronson (Diambou 76), Kjærgaard (Sučić 62); Adamu, Šeško. Trainer: Matthias Jaissle.
Crack: 1-0 (14′, header, assist Janscher) L. Jäger, 1-1 (22′) Šeško (left-footed shot, assist Capaldo), 2-1 (71′, left-footed shot, assist Hierländer) Jantscher.
GC: L. Jäger (82′, foul play, / Bernardo (57′, foul play, 3rd GK), Wöber (75′, foul play, 7th GK)
motion pictures please refer League portal LIVETICKER
Photo credit: FC Red Bull Salzburg via Getty