Salzburg start with an away win over Levski Sofia in the Europa League

Red Bull Salzburg won the opening match in the Europa League on Thursday evening with a 1-0 away victory against Bulgarian champions Lewski Sofia. Haris Tabaković scored in the 39th minute, and coach Danny Röhl remains unbeaten after 13 official matches.

Line‑up and Tactical Decisions

In central defence, Tim Drexler replaced the ill Valentin Zabransky, while Sota Kitano was given the preferred position behind striker Tabaković over Karim Konaté. Opponent manager Spanish coach Julio Velázquez fielded three Brazilians and only two Bulgarians in the starting eleven.

Lewski supporters pressed for an equaliser before the break, including a warning shot from Armstrong Oko‑Flex, which goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky saved. Salzburg responded immediately, allowing Yorbe Vertessen to become dangerous in the 22nd minute before Tabaković took his chance.

Statistics and Historical Context

Tabaković converted the golden goal after a misplaced back‑pass from the Bulgarians, his tenth goal for the Red Bulls and sixth goal in five Europa Cup matches. Lewski thus conceded only their second goal in their tenth home game of the season.

After the goal, the Bulgarian keeper Swetoslaw Wuzow defended strongly again, saving a shot in the 23rd minute. In the second half, Kitano and Edmund Baidoo missed clear chances, Vertessen shot in the 52nd minute, but Wuzow saved again.

Another key moment was Zawieschitzky's save from Reinaldo in the 62nd minute. Lewski increased the pressing but did not shoot at goal again and could not threaten the scoreline further.

The win is Salzburg's fourth success in five European cup games. Last season the Red Bulls lost all four away matches in the group stage and missed out on promotion by six points.

With 13 unbeaten games, Röhl surpasses the record of Marco Rose and Jesse Marsch, who each achieved twelve matches without defeat. Record holder Matthias Jaissle went 21 games without a loss in 2021. Röhl now has to remain unbeaten on 15 October in the home match against AC Milan to reach the record.