Salzburg and Sturm set for Bundesliga clash Europa League heroics

On Sunday at 17:00 the Austrian Bundesliga will host a top‑flight clash as Red Bull Salzburg meet Sturm Graz. Both sides arrive fresh from Europa League outings – Salzburg kept a 1‑0 shut‑out against Lewski Sofia while Sturm held Stade Rennes to a goalless draw – and the match will be shown live on Sky.

Goalkeepers shine in Europa League

Young shot‑stoppers Christian Zawieschitzky, 19, and Daniil Chudjakow, 22, were the decisive factor in those fixtures. Zawieschitzky guarded Salzburg’s net with composure, denying any ball from finding the back of the net in Sofia. Chudjakow displayed the same calm against Stade Rennes, ensuring the French side could not break through.

Both keepers demonstrated the demanding job of protecting the goal, a role that demands constant concentration and instant reaction to a 13‑metre strike. A single mistake can let the ball slip through the mesh and decide a match, and neither goalkeeper offered such an error.

Praise from coaches and experts

Salzburg coach Danny Röhl called Zawieschitzky’s display a “very adult performance”, noting that the team has not lost a league game this season. He highlighted the 62nd‑minute moment when the keeper rushed out to defuse a dangerous through‑pass, showing the kind of alertness required in the job.

Sky analyst Andreas Herzog described the 19‑year‑old as “a mix of cool dog and super goalkeeper”, adding that his composure gives defenders confidence that a reliable man is behind them. Ralf Rangnick subsequently nominated Zawieschitzky for the Austrian national side for the first time.

Chudjakow, who arrived at Sturm in the summer of 2024, quickly moved from backup to first‑choice after impressive displays. Former Lok Moscow keeper, he had 26 top‑flight appearances and two Europa League games before his Austrian move. Despite a bike accident that caused a hand injury and a later muscle problem, he returned to keep a clean sheet against Stade Rennes.

Sturm’s trainer Fabio Ingolitsch praised the Russian’s development, saying his week‑by‑week stability at such a young age is “fantastic”. The keeper’s reflexes were likened to a cat’s, and his ability to command the penalty area was repeatedly highlighted.

Both clubs can now count on a solid last line of defence as they head into the Bundesliga encounter. The momentum generated by those Europa League performances provides each side with confidence, while the spotlight on the goalkeeper’s role underscores how crucial a single save can be in deciding the outcome.