NEWS
Last-Minute Own Goal! Salzburg Heads for Europa League
Salzburg fails to capitalize on a strong first half and is surprised by strong Swedes after the break. Yet, they are the ones smiling in the end.
In the playoff for participation in the UEFA Europa League, FC Salzburg wins the first leg against Swedish champions Mjällby AIF 1-0 in the final minute.
Salzburg controls everything on the Baltic Sea coast, dominating Mjällby from the start. After just five minutes, the Bulls create their first goal-scoring opportunity through Baidoo, but Vertessen (10.) and Redzic (14.), like Baidoo, are denied by Mjällby goalkeeper Wallinder.
No Goal Despite Strong Bulls Start
A completely unmarked Schmid also fails to beat Wallinder after a clever Redzic pass (26.), Redzic himself is denied by the goalkeeper again from a tight angle (42.), and Mazurek can't get the rebound through the traffic.
Offensively, Mjällby is barely present, and Salzburg neutralizes the few Swedish counter-attacks.
Mjällby Emerges from the Dressing Room Transformed
After the break, a completely different picture emerges: Nielsen volleys the ball over the goal from a promising position just minutes after the restart (49.), and Kjaer misses shortly after a dribble down the right flank (50.). When Lindberg also narrowly misses the far post with his low shot (51.), Mjällby has definitively entered the game.
Zabransky's header from a corner is cleared off the line (55.), but Mjällby remains the more dangerous team. Petterson even heads the ball against the crossbar after a corner, and Miettinen's rebound just over the bar completes the Swedes' best chance so far without finding the net (62.).
Mjällby is clearly the better team in the second half.
Late "Lucky Punch"
Shortly before the end, the action comes thick and fast. Substitute Tidstrand scores from a clear offside position, the goal is, of course, disallowed.
Already in injury time, Konaté bursts down the left-center and delivers a sharp cross into the middle, where Pettersson accidentally shoves the ball into his own net. In the first minute of stoppage time, the Bulls thus secure the desired winning goal.
Thanks to this one-goal advantage, Salzburg can secure their entry into the Europa League league phase with a draw in the return leg next Thursday.
