Comeback win in Norway sets us up perfectly

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FC Red Bull Salzburg

·23. Juli 2025

Comeback win in Norway sets us up perfectly

4-1 lead to take into second leg v SK Brann

We had a tough start but a really good end to our trip to Norway's west coast. Our Red Bulls took a 4-1 win at runners-up SK Brann to get us in an ideal situation for next week's second leg with a spot in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League at stake.

Match summary

Thomas Letsch had forecast a difficult and open match away at Brann, and so it transpired. The opening minutes were a little cagey and testy before we got our first chances. Joane Gadou from a free-kick (9') and Oscar Gloukh (11') were unable to test Bergen keeper Dyngeland though. All in all, we had a few good early attacks without greatly threatening.

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With the fervent home support behind them, Freyr Alexandersson's side were able to muster quite some threat. Their captain, Myhre, sent an effort from distance just wide of the far post. A few moments later, the Brann Stadium was bouncing as a long ball was hit towards striker Magnusson, who saw off Jacob Rasmussen and turned the ball past Alex Schlager into the net (20').

We had the Polish referee to thank for Mamady Diambou only seeing a yellow card moments later, when it could have been worse - as the game descended into chaos of sort. Only shortly before the break were we able to attack again with composure and create chances. The best of those fell to Frans Krätzig from a Gloukh corner, and the Norwegian goalkeeper was forced into two strong saves to deny the young new signing (43').

We continued to find things tough in the start of the second period, as Alex Schlager was forced to make a superb save (54') – albeit with the attacker in an offside position, before we finally clicked into attacking gear and grabbed the equaliser in some style. Gloukh was almost penned in by opponents but burst through and chipped the ball into the area, where Dorgeles Nene lashed the ball in on the turn (58').

We were finally in full flow and Karim Onisiwo had a chance for the lead that only the Bergen goalkeeper's fingertips could stop. The substitute made his mark moments later, however, as he met a delicious Lainer cross with a diving header to leave our goalkeeper with no chance and turn the game on its head (61')!

Our quick double strike clearly put a dampener on the hosts' efforts along with their support, who turned frustrated. The hosts turned up the pressure heading into the final 15 minutes, which gave us more room to threaten on the break - which we gladly seized on!

We struck a big third goal in the 87th minute as Yorbe Vertessen pounced on a rebound. There was no stopping us now as we approached the end, getting the chance to add another at the start of stoppage time. A Kitano shot was stopped by a handball in the area, and Maurits Kjaergaard stepped up to make it 4-1 (90+2'). The final score may have flattered us a little, but we will be delighted to take it.

We therefore have a three-goal lead in the tie to take into the second leg at home on Wednesday 30 July at 20:45 CEST. We need all the support we can get at the Red Bull Arena to take us into the next round – and tickets are already on open sale! Let's take the next step towards the UEFA Champions League together.

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Views

Brann Bergen were extremely sharp in the first half, and it wasn't so easy to play here with the atmosphere in the stadium. We made a superb start actually, but the momentum turned around. We spoke about what we needed to fix at the break and kept on believing. It was clear to us that we would get the space to play in at some stage - and we had to use it well. Winning 4-1 puts us in a great position, and we will gladly take that!

Thomas Letsch

The opponents pushed us to the limit in the first half, in particular - it was the tough fight we expected. it was all a bit ponderous. We made a better start in the second half, stepped up a few percent and used our playing quality better. We ended up deserving to take a big win. We have taken the first step!

Stefan Lainer

Brann Bergen made a really good start, and after conceding we lost our way a little. Then we stabilised and made the right decisions at the break - then deservedly turned the match around. If we perform like that from the start next time at home, then I hope we will make the next round.

Karim Onisiwo