Salzburg keeps pace with Rapid via Tabakovic hat-trick against LASK

Salzburg keeps pace with Rapid after Haris Tabakovic scored a hat‑trick in Linz and the team secured three important points with a 3‑1 win over champions LASK. Reporting by Daniela Moser emphasizes that this has turned the battle for the top of the football Bundesliga into a two‑way contest for now.

After ten rounds unbeaten and having conceded only five goals, Salzburg sit second in the table, three points behind Rapid, who have taken the lead thanks to a record start.

Tabakovic secures win against LASK

In the Europa League Salzburg had previously squandered a 2‑0 lead in Slovenia, but in Linz the team came back after an early 1‑0 through Samuel Adeniran (13’) and eventually won 3‑1. Tabakovic scored in the 25th, 49th and 74th minute, making him the main contributor to the success.

The 32‑year‑old Bosnian arrived in the summer from Hoffenheim, an unusual transfer for Salzburg, and was brought in because of his composure, personality and finishing quality. With seven goals he now tops the scorers' list.

Rapid consolidates league lead

Rapid, league leaders, prepared for the upcoming “Derby double‑header” after convincing with a 5‑1 victory over promoted Austria Lustenau on Saturday. Coach Johannes Hoff Thorup stressed that the team had stayed in the flow and that he loved watching the current football game.

Left‑back Jannes Horn said they could have scored more goals in the 5‑1 result, while the coach highlighted the many chances and emphasized the current work. Five of the last six league wins were expected; only the 2‑0 against LASK had been a real challenge since the 1‑5 defeat in Salzburg.

On Tuesday, a bigger underdog awaits Rapid in the cup quarter‑final at the Hohen Warte: Vienna, who are fighting for the title as second‑place in the 2nd league. Horn warned that cup matches are always “disgusting”, and emphasized Vienna’s run.

Thorup called for discipline and confidence and stated that no thought should be wasted on the upcoming game against Austria, who have 20 points fewer. Against Vienna the team should rotate to allow the first‑choice formation for the proper derby.

Coach Danny Röhl highlighted that Salzburg have achieved three wins against top teams (Rapid 5‑1, Sturm 3‑0, LASK 3‑1) but also three draws, which he considers too many. He stressed that in the wins the team acted ice‑cold in front of goal, whereas in the draws the composure was missing.