Genk defeated with nine men! Salzburg advances in Youth League

The FC Salzburg Youth League team prevails 4:3 against KRC Genk in the return leg and is in the third qualification round of the Champions Path.

After the 1:1 draw in the first leg, Matjasec (4th, 37th), Ivanschitz (52nd), and Onwuzulike (70th) propel the "Young Bulls" into the next round at the Red Bull Academy, where they will face the winner of the clash between Red Star Belgrade and NK Bravo.

Against Genk, however, only nine Salzburg players remained on the field at the final whistle, as Masching (yellow-red, 77th) and Grudzinskas (red, 81st) were sent off.

Early Lead for Salzburg

Salzburg started the return leg with two changes to the starting XI. Onwuzulike replaced U17 Vice World Champion Pokorny in defense. In attack, Adejenughure started for Sulbaran.

The home team took a 1:0 lead, just like last week in Belgium. The Galm-led team pressed high and capitalized on a Genk error in build-up play. Adejenughure initially failed to beat Genk goalkeeper Van Laere, but Matjasec pounced on the rebound (4th).

After that, the hosts allowed themselves to be pushed back slightly. N’Salambi (13th) and Dauletov (15th) had good chances to equalize. The equalizer came shortly after: Following an Aleksic foul on L. Fernandez, the referee pointed to the spot. The fouled player stepped up himself and converted to make it 1:1 (21st).

Injury Scare for Genk

Subsequently, Genk experienced a moment of shock. Full-back El Morabet likely suffered a serious knee injury and had to be stretchered off the field (23rd).

After the injury-enforced stoppage, Salzburg became more prominent in attack again. Masching got free on a corner kick, but his header was too central (28th). Moser was denied a penalty foul (31st).

Before the break, the "Young Bulls" took the lead again. Adejenughure broke through on the left side. The low cross slipped through to Matjasec, who completed his brace to make it 2:1 (37th). Ivanschitz then missed a prime chance to make it 3:1, as Genk's goalkeeper threw himself into the shot (41st).

Two Red Cards for Salzburg

At the start of the second half, Salzburg made the first statement again. Ivanschitz fired the ball dangerously towards goal, but Van Laere distinguished himself with a good save (47th).

A few moments later, Ivanschitz had cause to celebrate: Adejenughure followed up well in the Genk penalty area and laid the ball off to his teammate, who extended the lead to 3:1 (52nd). The supposed decisive goal came from center-back Onwuzulike, who headed home from a corner to make it 4:1 (70th).

In the final phase, however, the "Young Bulls" had to fear for the win once more, as Masching received a yellow-red card (77th) and Grudzinskas was shown a straight red for a professional foul (81st). Kapers (84th) and Balde (90th), who capitalized on a Hupfauf error, brought Genk back to 3:4. In the end, Coach Galm's team managed to see out the 4:3 victory.

So Salzburg lined up in the return leg against Genk:

Hupfauf – Feldinger, Masching, Onwuzulike, Zangerl – Matjasec (71st Sulbaran), Grudzinskas, Aleksic, Moser (71st Matijasevic) – Adejenughure (60th Nisic), Ivanschitz (83rd Pokorny)

Red Star or Bravo in the Third Qualification Round

In the final third qualification round of the Champions Path, the winner of the clash between Red Star Belgrade and NK Bravo awaits. Red Star won the first leg 1:0. The return leg will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, at 2 PM.

The match dates for the third qualification round are November 25th and December 9th, respectively. After that, in the round of 32, clubs from the Champions Path and the League Path will be merged.

Personnel-wise, the "Young Bulls" squad is comprised of players from FC Liefering and the U18 team of the Red Bull Academy .