Champions League: “Challenge” as an opportunity in Salzburg’s situation

Accordingly, there wasn't much of a crisis to be noticed when Salzburg took their walk in the stadium in Leverkusen on Monday evening. Training was still carried out at home. In the BayArena, which will be sold out on Tuesday with around 30,000 people, including 800 Salzburg fans, people soaked up the atmosphere.

“When I just see the place, my heart swells,” emphasized Schlager and continued. “Playing in the Champions League is not a given, we worked for it ourselves. We can play completely freely and try to surprise internationally. We will try to use this platform.”

However, the Austrian team goalie is also clear about the task that awaits him and his young front team. “It will be a huge challenge, Leverkusen is one of the top teams, they hardly lose and it is very difficult to win here. But we have already shown that we can surprise. It will be about what and how we dare to do it. We are all motivated.”

ORF/Bernhard Kastler

Lijnders hopes to face Feyenoord

This also applies to coach Pepijn Lijnders, who recently received support. “It will be a big task, it will be a huge game. It will be a big challenge in which we will have to control the moments as much as possible, but also be very aggressive. We want to play our game, show our talent and passion.”

The crisis in everyday life in Salzburg is currently enormous. 18 points in the first twelve league games of a season, there have never been so few since 2005. As with Schlager, a game in the premier class, where after three opening defeats, every point would be a surprise anyway, comes in handy for Lijnders. Especially since the “old” Salzburg last appeared in the 3-1 win at Feyenoord Rotterdam.

“I hope that in this game we will once again show our Feyenoord face and those virtues, that passion and cleverness as we did in our last Champions League appearance. We won the last game in this competition, that should give you confidence,” said Lijnders, who was able to at least improve the game with a system change (4-2-3-1) against LASK (1:2).

For Lijnders, however, the system is not crucial. “We need our game, the right attitude and belief. It’s less about our system and more about how we act,” explained the Dutchman.

He does not see the six, some prominent, failures (e.g. Victor Boniface) from the German champions as a possible advantage. “If I look at the last few games, then not. They are really strong. You have so many tools to decide a game. But we have a lot of talent and belief in our boys. I’m looking forward to the game.”

Alonso praises Salzburg's style

After three defeats at the start, Salzburg are only in 30th place out of 36 teams in the new league phase this season. Even with a defeat in Leverkusen, it is still possible to make it into the play-offs, but the opponents will not be any easier with Paris SG, Real and Atletico Madrid.

Regardless of the crisis, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso had words of praise for Salzburg's football. “We expect a good opponent, a big influence from RB style, Liverpool style, dynamic players with big hearts and courage. We have to be ready, efficient and creative in our decisions.”

Alonso was warned by Salzburg's victory at Feyenoord. “They are a good team, they showed that in Rotterdam, with great personality and will to come back after the first three defeats. They show top level, Pep Lijnders' idea is clear, they also have good control, good pace. We are expecting a very good opponent.” Lijnders immediately returned the compliments. “I have great respect. Especially his style of play and how he develops the team. He is one of the best coaches.”