Salzburg's strike makes Sturm Graz fade in five minutes

In the red‑white stadium of Wals‑Siezenheim the air crackled as the first minutes passed without any notable highlights. Then Salzburg's onslaught broke loose and let Sturm Graz lose the upper hand within five minutes. The day's highlights were initially absent.

FC Red Bull Salzburg beat Sturm Graz at home 3‑0 (0‑0 at half‑time). The home win was important for the standings. Nikolas Veratschnig opened the scoring in the 72nd minute, Kevin Boma doubled the lead in the 76th, and Aboubacar Camara sealed the result in the 83rd minute. Photo: JASMIN WALTER.

Salzburg climbs to second place in the table

With the three‑goal haul Salzburg climbed to second place and became the primary challenger to league leaders Rapid. Under coach Danny Röhl the Red Bulls remain unbeaten in 14 games. The team dominated the match with high possession and controlled the midfield.

Sturm Graz slips to fourth place and now sits five points behind third‑placed LASK. The gap to the top trio has therefore widened, and the Graz side loses ground to the top trio.

Early dominance and quick goals

The Bulls applied aggressive pressing from the start and already in the first quarter‑hour gained the upper hand. In midfield the Ingolitsch eleven had a clear superiority, which further fueled Salzburg's attack. Within five minutes the Bulls scored two goals before the third came. The decisive moment came with a dream goal, as Camara turned a Kitano cross into a side‑foot volley into the net.

Line‑up and substitutions

Salzburg started with Zawieschitzky in goal, Veratschnig, Boma, Zabransky and Schmid in defence. In attack Redzic, Konate, Baidoo, Kitano and Vertessen played, with Konate operating in an unusual offensive midfield role. During the match several substitutions were made: Barry replaced Tohumcu in the 66th minute, Mazurek came on for Krätzig in the 86th, and Redzic was substituted for Camara. Sturm fielded a compact formation with Daniil Chudjakow in goal, Heil, Koller and other players.

Sturm had to contend with a yellow‑red card for Jürgen Heil after a hard foul in the 75th minute. Additionally Koller received a yellow card. The Graz goalkeeper Daniil Chudjakow stayed on the pitch, although he was called upon several times.

The home win solidifies Salzburg's position in the title race and gives coach Danny Röhl's staff further momentum. At the same time the result increases the pressure on Sturm, who now urgently need points to reduce the gap to LASK.