Am Donnerstag haben wir ein bisschen wie Kinder gespielt, heute haben wir wie Männer gespielt.
"On Thursday, we played a bit like children; today, we played like men. We went into every duel, tried to draw the foul. Even though we fell behind, we kept going," Jesper Lindström says, referring to the unnecessary 2-2 draw against NK Celje.
Valentin Zabransky adds: "Before the game, we said that we have to play more maturely so that mistakes like those against Celje don't happen again."
That mistake in Celje was an unnecessarily short free-kick played out in stoppage time, which led to a loss of possession and ultimately the equalizing goal.
"We took a close look at that free-kick. Today, we understood how to use long balls and to settle ourselves," says coach Danny Röhl.
Defensive Transition Not Yet Solid
In the Europa League away match in Slovenia, they also repeatedly appeared unorganized in their defensive transition and thus vulnerable to counter-attacks.
In the first half in Linz, it was no different. Samuel Adeniran's spectacular opening goal for the "Athletes" came from a simple transition situation; shortly before halftime, the American almost set up Moses Usor in a similar scene.
"We had problems on the flanks in the early stages. We weren't consistent in one situation or another. Sometimes the pressure was missing, sometimes the cover. We adjusted that at halftime," Röhl reveals one of the reasons for his team's very dominant performance, especially after the break.
Röhl: "I Was Impressed by My Team"
But even before the break, some things went right. Unlike often last season, Salzburg did not give up immediately after a poor start. On the contrary, they really worked their way into the game.
Röhl enthuses: "I was impressed by my team, how they kept playing and implementing the instructions, how they got more into the game minute by minute."
The past week with the perceived defeat in Celje had not been easy, "then to go to LASK, who achieved their first Champions League victory - these are completely different emotional worlds between the two teams," Röhl points out.
He adds: "But my team did very well, was very focused during the day. That gives us a lot of energy and conviction on our path again."
Tabakovic with a "One-Touch" Show
Ultimately, the victory in Linz was undoubtedly dominated by Haris Tabakovic. The Bosnian scored his second hat-trick of the season, all three goals being classic "one-touch" finishes in absolute poacher's style.
"When you have a striker who converts every chance, it's easier to win football matches. He was a game-changer today," Lindström knows.
On Thursday, Tabakovic was still the great tragic figure when he missed two sitters in Celje – one immediately before the late equalizer.
"Haris is only human. Of course, he was disappointed. All the more so today he showed how important he is," says Röhl.
Röhl on Rapid's Run: "You Have to Be Mentally Strong There"
Overall, the German coach seemed quite relieved after the victory in Linz, particularly liking the manner of the performance: "How we played, that we were brave and defended high, and how we defended compactly twice while shorthanded after injuries."
At the same time, he emphasizes: "In the end, we won deservedly. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't rate victories too highly, nor defeats too low."
The competition doesn't sleep; it's difficult "to play on Thursdays, the competition always plays first on Saturdays, and you have to follow suit every Sunday," Röhl says, referring to the current run of SK Rapid, who are not in European competition. "You have to be mentally strong there."
And that is precisely what Salzburg currently seem to be – especially in contrast to recent years of crisis.
