No winners in keenly contested Klassiker

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FC Red Bull Salzburg

·7 December 2024

No winners in keenly contested Klassiker

2-2 draw at home to Rapid

On the 16th matchday of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga, we played out a really thrilling draw against SK Rapid Vienna! Twice we took the lead against the Green and Whites, only for Robert Klauß's men to pull level and steal a point in Salzburg. Our goals were scored by Nicolas Capaldo (who now has four in his past three Bundesliga appearances) and Dorgeles Nene.

Match summary

There was a fast start as we hunted the opening goal. We had efforts on the Rapid goal in the opening minutes without seriously threatening Niklas Hedl. After close to five minutes of play, the visitors went up a gear as our defence had to contend with some periods of pressure.

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A good Gloukh shot from distance in the 25th minute saw us come close - and it got very entertaining from there! Moments later a Ratkov header struck an opponent's arm and just like on Wednesday against Hartberg, we had the opportunity to go in front from the penalty spot. Oscar Gloukh took responsibility, and just like on Wednesday, the visiting goalkeeper held the upper hand (27'). Pepijn Lijnders proteges again responded to that misfortune by turning up the intensity and trying even harder for the breakthrough.

We got on the scoresheet after switching the play quickly to the right, where Nicolas Capaldo had been demanding the ball. The Argentinian dispatched a clinical drive inside the far post (34').

Shortly before the break we almost conceded an equaliser out of nowhere – only for Daouda to slide the ball away from the goal line (43'). After the restart, it did come as we were back level at 1-1. Jonas Auer hit a brave drive from distance that took an unstoppable deflection (48'). The equaliser was particularly painful, as we had a big chance to make it 2-0 moments earlier.

The game truly lived up to its Austrian Klassiker billing, with a real treat for neutrals! It didn't take long for us to respond to the Rapid goal, even if we had some help along the way. Two wild attempted clearances from Cvetkovic saw the ball presented to our boys - and in the second instance, Dorgeles Nene pounced to make it 2-1 (57').

Rapid were not finished there, however. They sent in another dangerous deflected shot that Schlager showed incredible reflexes to save before it could settle in the top corner (58'). The Austrian international goalkeeper was at it again in the 65th minute, but 15 minutes before full-time he was powerless to avoid it. A perfectly placed long ball was chipped into the net by Jansson for 2-2 (74'). Everything was set up for a thrilling final phase. It was not the first time that a clash with Rapid had pushed us to the very last. The intensity could be seen with the number of mistakes on both sides in the final moments. Only in stoppage time did late chances come. Rapid created a tense moment in our area (90+1'), which we together managed to just about deal with. We pressed on at the end without landing the decisive blow. There was ultimately no winner but plenty of thrills in the Klassiker.

We have two more tests before the winter break - this Tuesday 10 December at 21:00 CET against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and next Saturday 14 December at 17:00 CET against Austria Klagenfurt – both matches are at home.

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Views

It was a match with two faces. There were moments in which we dominated and played really well, and moments in which they caused us problems. We had big chances at the start of the second half and should have used them. I liked it for long periods, but we now have to get it that we need to keep on for longer phases - even against a team like Rapid. It was a crazy match to watch!

Pepijn Lijnders

If was a difficult match. We led twice but couldn't keep onto the lead, and Rapid had a few chances - it's not so easy to assess the game. We were determined to win today, so it feels like two points dropped. Of course I like scoring goals, but it is no use if we don't win at the end.

Nicolas Capaldo

Line-up

Substitutions

Dedic for Capaldo (68'), Gourna-Douath for Bajcetic (71'), Diambou for Bidstrup (71'), Daghim for Nene (85'), Clark for Yeo (85')

Yellow cards

Daghim (90+5' foul)

Injury news

Not available for the match are Edmund Baidoo (ankle), Janis Blaswich (calf), Fernando (thigh), Maurits Kjaergaard (ankle), Karim Konate (knee), Leandro Morgalla (thigh) and Aleksa Terzic (adductors).

Kamil Piatkowski is out for several weeks with a thigh injury sustained against Hartberg.