Hat-trick from Irving

Klagenfurt vs. Salzburg – LIVE from 18:30

Salzburg coach Onur Cinel could hardly believe his eyes.(Bild: GEPA, instagram, krone.at-grafik)

Red Bull Salzburg have suffered a major setback in the Bundesliga title race. On Wednesday, the Bulls conceded a 3:4 defeat at Austria Klagenfurt after leading 2:0 at the break and were knocked off the top of the table by Sturm Graz (3:1 at Rapid). The two title rivals will meet in Salzburg on Sunday.

Three days after their 4-2 home win over Austria Klagenfurt, Salzburg were on course for another success in their second game under new coach Onur Cinel thanks to Karim Konate's brace (10th, 18th), but were severely punished for their arrogance. Solomon Bonnah (52nd) and triple-packer Andy Irving (63rd, 74th, 85th/foul penalty) crowned a strong performance and helped the Carinthians to a deserved first success in the championship group, which moved them one point ahead of Hartberg in fifth place. Salzburg's third goal by Strahinja Pavlovic came too late (87'), the first time since 2008 that the league giants had squandered a 2-0 lead, according to Sky.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Double pack
Salzburg fielded the same line-up as three days earlier, with only the injured Andreas Ulmer being replaced by Daouda Guindo on the left of the back four. Klagenfurt's coach Peter Pacult switched from a back three to a back four and opted for a diamond formation in the center of midfield.

His team were actually well in the game after an initial chance through Oscar Gloukh (Phillip Menzel saved, 3rd), but after a counter-attack and a one-two between Gloukh and Konate, they conceded the early 0:1, as they had done in Salzburg. Konate finished dryly with a shot into the near corner. Although the home side were not impressed, they were caught out again less than eight minutes later. Following a run by Daniliuc, it was once again Gloukh whose assist from Fersler was converted by Konate to make it 2:0.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Klagenfurt continued to try valiantly, repeatedly creating dangerous penalty area actions and set pieces with aggression and pressure, but with the exception of an attempt by Sinan Karweina (28', Schlager saved) no real chances. Towards the end of the first half, the visitors, who took a wait-and-see approach, found them. Instead of taking the lead, the stubborn Roko Simic struck the ball against the far post after a counter-attack (38').

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Soon after the restart, Salzburg were made to pay for this missed opportunity and for their caretaker mentality. Bonnah completed a fine run from close range to score the equalizer and spice up the game again. The home side then put on a veritable powerplay, but a handball by Klagenfurt defender Thorsten Mahrer (56') went unpunished after a VAR review.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Hat-trick
Salzburg's insecurity became apparent a little later when Oumar Solet made a poor clearance and Irving used the Frenchman's "template" to equalize. The visitors now did a little more again, with substitute Sekou Koita twice failing to beat Menzel (69'). But that was as good as it got from the serial champions, while Klagenfurt got down to business. Irving once again took advantage of an inadequately cleared ball to take the lead and even extended it with a penalty after Lucas Gourna-Douath had been fouled by Max Besuschkow.

Salzburg's third goal by Pavlovic had to be confirmed by VAR after the Serbian was deemed to have committed a foul, but it came too late. The defender also saw yellow for his complaint and is suspended against Sturm.

Austria Klagenfurt - Red Bull Salzburg 4:3 (0:2)
Klagenfurt, 28 Black Arena
3,144, referee Ebner

Goals: 
0:1 (10.) Konate 
0:2 (18.) Konate 
1:2 (52.) Bonnah 
2:2 (63.) Irving 
3:2 (74') Irving
4:2 (85') Irving (penalty) 
4:3 (87.) Pavlovic

Klagenfurt: Menzel - Bonnah, Mahrer, Wimmer, Schumacher - Besuschkow, Benatelli, Irving, Cvetko - Karweina (90. Robatsch), Arweiler (82. Soto)

Salzburg: Schlager - Daniliuc (86. Daniliuc), Solet, Pavlovic, Guindo - Sucic, Diambou (79. Nene), Gloukh, Forson (59. Gourna-Douath) - Simic (59. Koita), Konate (79. Ratkov)

Yellow cards: Menzel, Cvetko, Pacult (coach) and Pavlovic