UEFA Youth League

Young Bulls miss out on early promotion

Captain Tim Trummer provided two assists.(Bild: Fabian Weirather – FC Red Bull Salzburg)

Salzburg squandered a 2-0 lead against Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Youth League. Striker Kenneth was also sent off after an assault.

While the first 45 minutes left a lot to be desired, the second half was all the more exciting. The Youth League duel between Feyenoord and Salzburg ended 2:2 after a wild second half.

The young bulls dominated the game until the break, but failed to score. Salzburg coach Daniel Beichler must have found the right words and the right players at half-time. Because just 50 seconds after the restart, Phillip Verhounig, who had come on as a substitute during the break, put the visitors in front. The 2:0 in the 54th minute was a copy of the lead: Tim Trummer set up the striker again. "I was very happy with the first 60 minutes, it was a top game from us," said Beichler.

"Totally unnecessary"
But suddenly the game slipped away from the young bulls. Feyenoord were able to equalize within four minutes - goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky fended the ball off the legs of the opponents on both occasions. "We weren't as determined with the ball and in our transitional play," said the head coach. Then Kenneth's nerves put a spanner in the works. He was sent off with a red card after an assault: "That was totally unnecessary," said the coach.

The 2-2 draw means that the young bulls are not yet guaranteed a place in the knockout round, but their chances of doing so are very high. With ten points, Beichler's eleven are in second place, with the top 22 teams advancing. "Second place is cool all in all. But I always say that I want to get away from thinking in terms of the league table."

UEFA Youth League: Feyenoord Rotterdam - FC Salzburg 2:2 (0:0). Goal sequence: 0:1 (46') Verhounig, 0:2 (54') Verhounig, 1:2 (64') Van den Elshout, 2:2 (68') Rudisill. - Red: Adejenughure (69.). - FC Salzburg (3-4-1-2): Zawieschitzky; Gadou, Striednig (65. Schuster), Zabransky (88. Moswitzer); Bendra, Trummer, Paumgartner, Rackl; Aguilar (78. Brandtner); Baidoo (46. Verhounig), Adejenughure - Varkenoord, Campos (Por).