A look into the archive

Champions group was always a clear-cut affair for Salzburg

The championship trophy was always firmly in Salzburg's hands.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

No matter how tight the starting position was before the start of the championship round, the Bulls always came out on top in the end. This has been an unwritten law since the league reform. A look at the archives. 

Salzburg begin their mission for an eleventh title in a row with a home game against Hartberg on Sunday (17). The Bulls will once again go into the match as league leaders - with a two-point lead over rivals Sturm. Wafer-thin, you might think. However, a look at the course of the previous championship groups since the league reform makes it clear: the last ten rounds have always been a one-way street for the Bulls. No matter how narrow the lead after the points were shared.

2018/19 season: 
The serial champions went into the championship round with a four-point lead over LASK. In the final year under successful coach Marco Rose, it was even twelve.

Season 19/20: 
The Upper Austrians were top of the table after 22 rounds. Before the Athletiker trained without permission despite coronavirus measures. This resulted in a points deduction and the Bulls slipped to the top of the table. In the end, three points became twelve again and Jesse Marsch was able to hold up the golden champion's plate at the end of his first season in Austria.

Season 20/21: 
Once again, LASK were initially close (four behind) to Salzburg. But because the competition weakened again, the gap was as much as 15 points in the end. This time to Rapid.

Mraco Rose bid farewell to 2019 with a Bundesliga plate and beer shower from Salzburg.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Jesse Marsch celebrated the title in his very first season (2019/20) in Austria.(Bild: Kronen Zeitung)

The following year, there was once again no way around the American and his team.(Bild: Kronen Zeitung)

Matthias Jaissle and the Bulls won the 2021/22 league with a 15-point lead.(Bild: Kronen Zeitung)

Last season, Christoph Freund, Jaissle and Stephan Reiter celebrated their last plate together to date.(Bild: Kronen Zeitung)

Season 21/22:
The championship plate was already virtually fixed in Salzburg in the basic round. The team of then coach Matthias Jaissle ultimately turned nine points into 15.

Season 22/23: 
Last season was relatively close. After three points to divide the league against Sturm, Graz ran out of steam in the end. Salzburg blew through, staying seven points ahead.