“Not a typical cup match”: Salzburg wants to shine on familiar ground
FC Red Bull Salzburg visit Union Gurten on Tuesday. Against the regional league, the Austrian series champion will continue to expand his impressive cup record.
Maurits Kjaergaard and Co. are getting better and better.
FC Red Bull Salzburg via Getty Images
Just in time for the start of the new Champions League season, the FC Red Bull Salzburg to reach operating temperature. With the 6-0 demonstration of power at Austria Lustenau, the series champion sent a clear signal to the national competition and proved ten days before the game against AC Milan that the quality of the squad is exceptionally high again this year. Not that after the start of the season – by Salzburg standards – one would have doubted it.
Before the first big season highlight for the current table runners-up on September 6th in the premier class, two challenges await at national level with the cup game at Union Gurten and the league duel against WSG Tirol. Salzburg will play both games as the big favorite, especially with the regional league team from Upper Austria anything but a clear victory on Tuesday would be a big surprise.
Jaissle announces rotation
Of course, head coach Matthias Jaissle is also aware of this, who is therefore announcing a rotation against the Upper Austrians: “Maybe we will change the team in a few positions. In any case, this time Nico Mantl will start in goal. He deserves it.”
Salzburg has completed every round of the ÖFB Cup since 2014, and from Salzburg’s point of view, this series should naturally not break this season either. Jaissle is convinced that Gurten will not become a stumbling block for his team: “The cup game also starts at 0-0 and Gurten deserves to make it into the second round just like we did – that deserves respect. But of course we are the clear favorites and it is our aim to confidently advance to the next round.”
Gurten gives way to Ried
Since the duel will be broadcast on ORF, Gurten had to switch to the Josko Arena in Ried, around 13 kilometers away. “We know the stadium and the general conditions. It’s certainly not a typical cup match on a small pitch and in a heated atmosphere. But we need a concentrated performance there too, we mustn’t underestimate our opponents. The cup can be tricky,” said Midfielder Maurits Kjaergaard.
Salzburg will miss out against Gurten Sekou Koita (ankle), Justin Omoregie (hamstring), Kamil Piatkowski (hamstring), Samson Tijani (tibia and fibula) and Ignace Van der Brempt (ankle), all of whom are working on findings. Of course, this does not change the fact that the defending champion is the favorite.