Tactical switch in midfield
"It was a good performance. We are very happy. It was very important to go into the break with a win," reflected Bartosz Mazurek, who started as a nominal number ten ahead of Soumaila Diabate and Abubakr Barry for the first time this season.
The "Bulls" started the match with plenty of steam and took the lead after just five minutes through Haris Tabakovic. The striker finished off a Lindström cross in spectacular style with a backheel.
After that, the thread snapped somewhat and Sturm struck twice through former Salzburg player Oumar Diakite: once from a set-piece and once on the counter, including a sublime first-time volley.
"It was intense. We made mistakes on our end, but I am proud of our team performance today," said Frans Krätzig.
Röhl sent off, Salzburg turn the game around
For Salzburg did not let this quickfire double get them down. Leandro Morgalla (29') and Damir Redzic in the second half (67') turned the match in favor of Röhl's side. And that despite their manager being sent to the stands after just over half an hour (all the info here >>>).
But the marquee match had another twist in store: following an error by Christian Zawieschitzky, Jon Gorenc Stankovic headed Graz back into the game (70').
"Chris [Zawieschitzky] made a small mistake today. He has saved us often over the last few weeks, today we saved him. It feels good. It's always about the reaction, that's how we have to keep going," Krätzig said, backing the ÖFB goalkeeper.
As after going 2-1 down, the Mozart city side were undeterred by conceding again and responded once more. The highly impressive Jesper Lindström dribbled past half the Sturm defense before finishing to seal the 4-3 final score (74').
Röhl: "Defended like men"
"In the end, we scored beautiful goals. I'm very proud," said the head coach. "There are few teams that find solutions here. They play very aggressively."
In the final quarter of an hour, Salzburg focused on defending. Sturm failed to generate the necessary pressure, allowing the "Bulls" to comfortably see out their lead.
Röhl saw it the same way: "It makes me proud how we defended everything like men in the last ten minutes. In a difficult environment, here away at Sturm. The atmosphere was fantastic, but we didn't let that intimidate us."
End of an intense phase
With their ninth victory in twelve games, Red Bull Salzburg remain hot on the heels of leaders Rapid. Three points currently separate the two teams.
Now, after an intense spell of nine games within a month, it's time for the second international break. Time to catch a breath.
"We are unbeaten in the league. That's how we have to keep going. Now we have a week off and then we go again," Krätzig fired a warning shot.
Röhl doesn't understand criticism
Salzburg once again managed to deliver the required points in the league. And that after criticism surfaced following the defeat against Anderlecht.
"It should be highlighted that for the first time in five years we are playing a season that hasn't been seen in Salzburg for a long time. We have a good plan for every opponent, which the boys execute with passion and get points," Röhl said.
After the break, action resumes with an away game at Austria Vienna before hosting Ararat-Armenia in the Europa League.
