FC Red Bull Salzburg experienced a real cup déjà vu on Thursday evening: last year they lost on penalties against eventual cup winners SK Sturm Cross in the football quarterfinals, this time after 90 minutes in the semifinals – 3:4 . And it was thoroughly deserved, as the Styrians put on a brilliant game on the damp Walls-Seissenheim turf. Coach Christian Ilzer's defending champions have qualified for the finals again. On May 1, there will be a new version of last year's final in Klagenfurt against Rapid Vienna, which won 3-0 against third-division side DSV Leoben.
Having lost 1-0 at home to the defending champions on Sunday, this time the visitors celebrated at Salzach – supported by around 2,000 loud Sturm fans. Even then, a relatively small group of RBS supporters couldn't keep up. In total, the semi-final drew fewer than 11,500 spectators.
Presented by Oumar Solet
After a corner from Moritz Gjergaard and Flavius Daniliuk's header extended, Salzburg created a great set-up through Omar Solett, the central defender driving the ball under the crossbar three meters out (1-0/11th). Moments later, Karim Konade missed a great chance to make it 2-0 and was caught by keeper Vitislav Jarosz. The visitors turned the game around through William Bowing (25') and Tommy Horvat (52') – with a strong assist from goalkeeper Alexander Schlager – to make it 1-2 after the break. Immediately after the restart, the “Blackies” already netted, but before Mika Pireth's goal, assistant Jusuf Kasipegovic was offside (46').
Kroos finally extended the lead through David Schneck (71'), before “Joker” Luka Sucic gave the home camp hope again, this time with goalie Jarosz slipping the ball through his braces – 2:3 (79'). In direct retaliation, Niklas Keirhofer restored the old two-goal gap after a corner kick from Horvat (81'). Substitute Alexa Tercic narrowed the score again – 3:4 (90th) – but the nine-time cup winner had to wait for her tenth double and was unable to achieve. The defeat was the first defeat this calendar year.
Salzburg did not have much time to comply; On Sunday, April 7 at 5 p.m., the “Red Bulls” will host SK Rapid Wien (4th) for the league win.
– Bit
