Austria celebrates victory in Salzburg: “My grandma could analyze that”

The league leaders, on the other hand, struggled with their league start. After Salzburg’s recent performances (3:1 against Basel, 2:3 against Aston Villa in the Europa League and a 1:0 against WAC in the Cup), expectations were high.

“When I face challenges myself, I go into this ‘boss mode,’” Helm explained. “I demand a high level of intensity from my team, and they have implemented that.” The Salzburg team have been deprived of their strengths. “It’s important to find the right remedy. You can’t play to their strengths.” Austria pulled the bulls’ teeth with a solid, sometimes deep defense. “My grandma could also analyze the game,” said Helm after his 50th league game as Austria coach.

Austria has the spirit

He and his team prepared specifically for this game for five weeks. But they also worked on the team structure. “We were able to train specifically for this. I gave the team an idea,” said Helm. But he also knows: “But none of that is of any use if the spirit in the team isn’t there.”

That seems to be available at Austria. “We have a good mix,” said Captain Manfred Fischer. Eight Austrian players in the match squad were 20 years old and younger, five were also used, U17 World Cup heroes Vasilije Markovic celebrated his debut with the professionals. Helm emphasized that it was not his doing. “Not a single young player who was on the pitch here received anything for free.”

Ass kicking

Experienced Fischer (30) put it this way: “The young people can and must take advantage of their opportunity – if not, they will get their ass kicked by us.” The long dry spell against Salzburg – they have been without a win in 24 competitive games since 2018 – would have had “a mental component”. “Always coming here and losing, you lose faith,” explained Fischer. But the Violets didn’t let on because of the “Boss Mode” that Helm announced before the game. The hopes for the Vienna derby are now high. Fischer: “If we perform like we did here, it will be unpleasant to play against us.”

Salzburg was very disappointed – especially because things went really well in the first three games of the year. “We did well recently, but that doesn’t mean anything anymore when you put in a performance like that,” said captain Mads Bidstrup. “We didn’t play fast enough. We need to be sharper, it was just bad.”

No sharpness

Coach Thomas Letsch disliked the appearance. “We have the highest demands on ourselves. We want to win titles,” emphasized the German. “It’s not what was that counts, but what’s currently going on and what’s to come. We always have to deliver.” His team seemed “a bit sedate”. His team lacked “sharpness and gall” – “what has always distinguished Red Bull Salzburg.” The reasons for this must now be found: “Heads will rattle.”

Against a low-lying opponent, the Bulls were once again at their wits’ end. “All teams in the world are having a hard time with this,” said Letsch. Creativity and depth runs are needed. Next Sunday we go to relegation candidate GAK. This is followed by the league hit against pursuers LASK, also away.