Champions League: Salzburg take points from Milan at the start
As promised, Salzburg is dynamic and intense in the duels. The “Bulls” thus pose problems for the “Rossoneri”. In a phase in which the guests had arrived in the game, Noah Okafor scored to put Salzburg ahead (28′). Before the break, however, Milan equalized through Alexis Saelemaekers (40th). In the second half Fernando missed the top chance for the home side (53′), in the end they were lucky when Rafael Leao hit the pole (94′).
Due to the tight schedule due to the Winter World Cup in Qatar, the second game will be played next week, on Wednesday (9:00 p.m.) Salzburg will visit Chelsea at the legendary Stamford Bridge. The “Blues” were anything but legendary in the opening game of Group E at Dinamo Zagreb, where they surprisingly lost 1-0.
ZIB with Champions League (from min. 6:09)
Salzburg gets a point against Italy’s champions Milan at the start of the premier class.
Again “Festival” in Salzburg
In Salzburg, the domestic series champion set a record before kick-off. A club from Austria has never been in the group stage of the premier class four times – in a row at that. The festival will once again be continued in Salzburg.
After the boards on the cathedral square, the lawn in Wals-Siezenheim is now being played big again. At the start, AC Milan was a world club, and although the heyday of the “Rossoneri” is a little over the past, seven titles in the premier class speak for themselves – only Real Madrid have won more with 14 in history.
The “renaissance” at Milan was initiated and crowned last season with the first Serie A title in eleven years. In the Champions League, however, 2021 was the end of the comeback after a seven-year break in the group phase. Salzburg, on the other hand, made it into the round of 16 for the first time. So it was not only because of the opponent that the stadium in Wals-Siezenheim was sold out, but also because of the anticipation of one of these special evenings. The anticipation was evident everywhere on a late summer day in Salzburg.
Kameri makes his debut, Wöber has to pass
Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle spoke of a “holiday”. Either way, it was one for Dijon Kameri, who made his Champions League debut against Milan. The 18-year-old ÖFB junior player, whom team boss Ralf Rangnick had in mind, started instead of the injured Luka Sucic. Maximilian Wöber had an unexpected day off, whose groin prevented him from playing after warming up. In addition to Kameri and right-back Amar Dedic, Strahinja Pavlovic also made his CL debut.
Milan champion maker Stefano Pioli meanwhile trusted his derby winners from Saturday, only the later goalscorer Saelemäkers slipped into the eleven compared to the 3-2 win against Inter. The name pretty much says it all: The “Rossoneri” no longer define themselves through superstars, but develop them in a similar way to Salzburg itself. The only one – Sweden’s legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic – was injured.
Salzburg “doesn’t give a shit”
In the fourth year, Salzburg already has a certain routine in the premier class. The day before, you could make a credible promise not to give a shit against Milan, as veteran Andreas Ulmer recognized, and implement that. After his cross, Nicolas Capaldo headed into the side netting after 19 seconds, after 62 the Argentine went wide. Salzburg played in gray (and blue, as a reminder of the mountains and lakes), but presented themselves colorfully in their game – Milan had to find their way in the early stages.
But sometimes Salzburg got too carried away, such as Pavlovic, who carelessly lost the ball. France’s world champion Olivier Giroud was unable to exploit his mistake and hit Philipp Köhn’s arms (8th). The Salzburg goalkeeper got himself and his team under pressure with unclean actions, but Milan were initially unable to capitalize on this in the last third. Big chances were scarce, but the intensity was high. It’s not just going back and forth on the pitch, the fans live with them in the stands.
Okafor with “Doppelgurkerl” for the lead
Meanwhile, referee Srdjan Jovanovic from Serbia paved the way for a chance for the guests when he was the only one to recognize a foul by Capaldo on Theo Hernandez. The free kick brought nothing. Milan had arrived in the game and shifted the game more into the opposing half, but there was nothing urgent at first. Salzburg, on the other hand, was waiting for its chance – and was successful.
Fernando conquered the ball against Ismael Bennacer in the penalty area, served Okafor on the left and, like last season, the Swiss played his best side in the premier class. The striker danced past Milan defender Pierre Kalulu, first shoving the ball through his legs before goalkeeper Mike Maignan also conceded a “gurkerl” – the ball landed in the bottom right corner of the goal and the stadium became a madhouse.
Two blows before the break
The lead was deserved insofar as Salzburg threw everything into the balance. But mistakes were made here and there, which a team like Milan know how to exploit. After losing the ball, Milan skilfully avoided counter-pressing and quickly went forward. Bennacer served Rafael Leao, whose cross from the left was converted by Saelemaekers, who was left alone. Giroud anticipated well and cleared the way for the 1-1 with a jump.
It wasn’t the last bad news for Salzburg before the break. Oumar Solet cannot continue due to injury, and Bernardo came into play in his place. This back four was not to be expected, after all, Ulmer was a constant in left-back.
Salzburg missed a new leadership
Salzburg didn’t give up after the break and tried to take the lead again, especially in the first quarter of an hour. It went over the left, over the right, through the middle – Milan was repeatedly put under pressure. It almost worked. Okafor tanked well on the left, then Kjaergaard saw Fernando rushing on the other side. The Brazilian received the ball in an exemplary manner, but carelessly threw it over the goal from close range (53′).
A little later, Pioli brought in Divock Origi, one of Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League winners. However, the stand initially focused on defending and cleared a free-kick from Ulmer with a header (61′). A minute later, Seiwald failed from a distance.
Lucky for the fittest in the finish
Then all the bad things came in threes, as Fernando also had to leave the field due to injury. Benjamin Sesko was a worthy replacement, and Lucas Gourna-Douath made his debut in the premier class after buying millions. Salzburg had to pay tribute to their high level of intensity during this phase, although Milan could only do little with a lot of ball possession.
The teams only found chances again shortly before the end: Sesko initially narrowly missed from the penalty area (88th). Then Origi didn’t hit the ball properly (90′). But Leao was much closer to the “lucky punch”, whose shot was deflected off the post by Bernardo (94′). Salzburg had the luck of the fit, which the fans acknowledged with applause and standing ovations. The beginning was successful.
Comments on the game:
Matthias Jaissle (Salzburg coach): “It was a really cool energy today. But we also performed in such a way that the fans went home happy. We wanted to be bold, push up, annoy and stress them, and we managed to do that over many phases. We solved the phases where we defended more deeply. After one game day, the table is not meaningful. We want to do the same in London against an absolutely world-class team.”
Noah Okafor (Salzburg goalscorer): “It’s a shame that it wasn’t enough for three points. But we can build on that. I’m convinced that we can cause a surprise.” His best CL game? “You could say so. (…) I tried to play boldly, I feel in top form.”
Stefano Pioli (Milan coach): “It’s a good result. It was also a good performance from us, but not an excellent one. Our opponent was good, we also expected a fast and well-prepared team. If they keep playing like this, they will have their chances in the group. We didn’t expect the result in Zagreb, the next parties will be very interesting.”
UEFA Champions League, Group E, first day of play
Tuesday:
Salzburg – Milan 1: 1 (1: 1)
Salzburg, Stadium Wals-Siezenheim, 29,520 spectators (sold out), SR Jovanovic (SRB)
Consequence:
1-0 Okafor (28′)
1: 1 Sälemäkers (40th)
Salzburg: Köhn – Dedic, Solet (42nd / Bernardo), Pavlovic, Ulmer – Capaldo, Seiwald, Kameri (65th / Gourna-Douath), Kjaergaard – Fernando (65th / Sesko), Okafor (93rd / Adamu)
Milan: Maignan – Calabria (57th/Dest), Kalulu, Tomori, Hernandez – Bennacer (57th/Pobega), Tonali – Sealemaekers (80th Messiah), De Ketelaere (70th/Diaz), Leao – Giroud (57th/Origi )
Yellow cards: Capaldo, Gourna-Douath or Calabria, Tomori, Diaz, Origi