Weak Salzburg suffer deserved defeat at Anderlecht

FC Salzburg suffered a deserved 2-0 defeat away to RSC Anderlecht on matchday 4 of the UEFA Europa League.

Salzburg endured a very poor first half in Brussels, failing to threaten the opposition goal at all in the opening 45 minutes. Instead, they were at times careless and lacking concentration at the back, with goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky and Leandro Morgalla managing to prevent an early deficit.

However, after nearly 20 minutes the deadlock was broken, as Ludwig Augustinsson curled a direct free-kick over the wall and into the net (20'). In the minutes that followed, the Belgians continued to threaten time and again, and it was only down to Zawieschitzky that Salzburg did not fall further behind.

Shortly before half-time, the young ÖFB national team keeper pulled off another top save, tipping a shot from Lukas Ambros out of the far corner with his fingertips.

Anderlecht fail to kill off the game

In the second half, Anderlecht shifted into game-management mode, but Salzburg still struggled to get into dangerous areas. Their only real chance came from a Haris Tabakovic header following a corner, which came close to an equalizer.

Fifteen minutes from time, the Belgian record champions appeared to double their lead, but prior to substitute Marten Winkler's strike, the ball had crossed the goal line in its entirety on Ali Maamar's cross, leading VAR to overturn the goal.

Salzburg were thus still only one goal away from equalizing, and following a free-kick, Tim Drexler actually had the chance to level, but shot straight into the face of Anderlecht goalkeeper Colin Coosemans.

Salzburg remain on four points

In the closing minutes, the hosts had several counter-attacking opportunities, one of which substitute Winkler converted with a chip over Zawieschitzky (90'), while Bentayeb also found the net, though from an offside position.

The result leaves the Bulls on four points after four matches, temporarily sitting in 23rd place, while Anderlecht move up to 14th.