Lijnders calls for “reaction” in Tirol after CL false start

Pepijn Lijnders is under pressure with Salzburg.
FC Red Bull Salzburg

Three competitive games without a win, two defeats in a row: Red Bull Salzburg is facing an unusual situation after the botched start to the league phase of the Champions League on Wednesday at Sparta Prague. The team is therefore hoping to make positive headlines again in the away game in the seventh round of the Bundesliga at WSG Tirol on Sunday (2.30 p.m.). “It is clear to us that we have to do better and show a reaction,” said Salzburg coach Pepijn Lijnders.

The championship is a very important competition. “We want to prove to everyone that we can continue to grow,” emphasised the Dutchman. In Prague, his young team made many individual mistakes in defence and lacked the power to attack. “It is important for us to analyse our last game again in detail and to put our finger on the sore spot,” the 41-year-old said on Friday.

Instead of the hoped-for opening victory against one of the supposedly easier opponents in the “premier class”, there was a bitter disappointment. As was the case previously in the championship with a 2:3 loss at Rapid. According to the statistics, another setback for the “Bulls” is not to be expected. Ten of eleven league duels against WSG have been won so far, and 40 goals conceded underline the dominance. “We are going into the match as favorites, but that doesn’t mean much. We have to show on the pitch that we are better and really want to win,” said offensive player Oscar Gloukh.

The three points that are clearly targeted will have to be worked hard for. The Israeli could play a key role; in each of his last five league appearances he has been directly involved in at least one goal. It remains to be seen to what extent rotation plays a role for opponents, who warned of the opponent’s “pace, especially on the wings”. With important players missing in the form of Mads Bidstrup, Fernando, Daouda Guindo, Takumu Kawamura, Maurits Kjaergaard and Aleksa Terzic, the personnel situation is still not rosy.

Semlic: “As Sparta Prague showed”

Only Tobias Anselm and Yannick Vötter were out for the Tyroleans. WSG coach Philipp Semlic has followed Salzburg’s performance in the “premier class”. “We won’t have many scoring opportunities, we have to use them consistently and cold-bloodedly, as Sparta Prague has shown. Then a game often changes.” The Tyroleans celebrated their only victory against Salzburg with a 3-2 win on April 21, 2021 at the Tivoli. “We are aware of the challenge. I am convinced that we have a chance, even if the probability of a win is not that high,” said Semlic.

This is exactly where a “top-top performance” is needed to be able to take something away with it. Good compactness and a courageous performance in the game going forward are necessary. “We know that if we manage to break their first and second pressing lines, we can always be dangerous,” said the WSG coach, who described the Liverpool influence on Salzburg through Liijnders as “exciting.”