On the way out of the crisis awaits Salzburg on Saturday the home game against Altach. The Vorarlbergers are coming with a new coach – and that makes things a little more explosive. Fabio Ingolitsch comes from the bull stable, worked in the academy and at Liefering. Salzburg coach Pep Lijnders is prepared: “What he did last with FC Zurich’s U-21 team was quite similar to what he did with Liefering back then.”
However, you don’t want to get too involved with your opponent. No wonder, as the dethroned series champion currently has enough construction sites. One of them – probably the most explosive – concerns the goalies. It’s not just the coach who is currently concerned about the number one question, the fans have also spoken out clearly about it.
The facts: Janis Blaswich came on loan from Leipzig in the summer and has been Salzburg’s number one and captain ever since. Alexander Schlager was injured at the time and the 33-year-old German was put in front of him. This season, Schlager was only allowed to guard the goal in the ÖFB Cup against Vienna Viktoria.
Own goal from Lijnders
The situation has worsened in recent weeks. Schlager is fit again – and Blaswich is not without mistakes. After the 4-0 defeat in the Champions League against Brest, the situation escalated. The Salzburg fans loudly demanded Schlager’s return and spurned Blaswich. The team stood behind their captain and didn’t say goodbye to the supporters. “It’s about respect,” explains sports director Bernhard Seonbuchner, “the team showed a reaction after the game.” The relationship with their own fans has been tense since then.
Salzburg’s Alexander Schlager
Did Coach Lijnders score an own goal with his personnel decision in the summer? “Alexander Schlager was injured, we didn’t know how long he would be out,” explains the Dutchman. They wanted an experienced keeper with whom they could make it into the Champions League. But: Was it necessary to make loan player Blaswich captain?
“That was absolutely the right decision. The year before was not an easy one for Salzburg, we wanted someone new and unencumbered in goal,” explains Lijnders.
He hasn’t made his life any easier, he’s noticed that now. Will he change the goalie? Lijnders is also tight-lipped here, pointing out that he never reveals his line-up in advance: “We’ll see on Saturday.”