Salzburg is out!

SCR Altach reaches the ÖFB Cup final for the first time

SCR Altach is in the ÖFB Cup Final for the first time.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

The upset is complete, and Cup history has been made. SCR Altach won 1-0 on the road against favorites Red Bull Salzburg and is in the ÖFB Cup Final for the first time in club history.

For Altach, who had already drawn 2-2 and 1-1 against Salzburg in the league this season, this ended a long drought in head-to-head matches. In Salzburg, it was their first win since a 1-0 league victory on March 7, 2015. At home, the Vorarlbergers had last defeated the “Bulls” on March 2, 2020, with a 3-2 win in the league. In the Cup, the victory was a first, as their only previous meeting with Salzburg—in the quarterfinals of the 2014/15 season—had ended in a 0-4 loss. The final will take place on May 1 in Klagenfurt.

Three changes for Salzburg
 Salzburgmadethree changesfrom their scoreless league match against Hartberg. Aleksa Terzic and Jannik Schuster replaced Tim Trummer and Tim Drexler in the back line, while Damir Redzic was preferred over Edmund Baidoo on the wing in the attack. There were no surprises for the Vorarlberg side. Sandro Ingolitsch and Ousmane Diawara, who had already impressed as “super subs” in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Rapid, moved into the starting lineup. Moritz Oswald and Srdjan Hrstic consequently had to settle for a spot on the bench.

(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

 hits the post earlyAs expected, Salzburg had more possession and dominated the action, but failed to take the lead despite two excellent chances. After a nice combination down the right flank and a cross from Terzic, the crossbar came to Altach’s rescue following a header by Moussa Yeo (10th minute). The Salzburg forward was also in the spotlight in the 18th minute; after his dribble, his shot was just barely blocked by Filip Milojevic.

Altach coach Ognjen Zaric(Bild: GEPA)

Altach played boldly
However, Altach did not rely solely on a “park-the-bus” tactic, which Hartberg had recently used to secure a scoreless draw in the league at Wals-Siezenheim. Bolstered by the confidence gained in recent weeks, the visitors sought to play their own game, a fact that became particularly evident during a very strong ten-minute stretch before halftime, during which Salzburg suddenly faced major defensive problems. After a misplaced pass by Diabate, Mohamed Ouedraogo snatched the ball, drove toward the goal, and was unlucky with a long-range shot that hit the post.

(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Jäger’s first Cup goal proves decisive
Shortly after, a Diawara header lacked power (39th min.). The Altach striker came even closer to scoring, hitting the crossbar with a volley from six meters out (45'). Nevertheless, the home side went into halftime with a lead. Jäger spectacularly headed a perfect corner kick from Greil into the net. It was the center back’s first goal in the 27th cup match of his career.

Salzburg Fails to Equalize
After the break, the visitors sat deeper and focused on simply protecting their lead. Salzburg lacked ideas for long stretches. Goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic remained alert twice in the 54th minute. Yeo had another chance but shot well over the bar with a surprise finish (60'). Altach’s goalkeeper also kept Alajbegovic’s shot out shortly after (71’). Salzburg coach Daniel Beichler tried to spark the offense with various substitutions, but Altach held on to the lead as Alajbegovic (94’) and Karim Onsiwo (97’) failed to finish strongly.

Salzburg coach Daniel Beichler(Bild: APA/BARBARA GINDL)

 ’s coaching effect fizzles outThus, the hoped-for coaching effect under Beichler has already fizzled out again. Following the brilliant 5-1 opener at LASK, there have been two bitter setbacks. On Sunday, Salzburg, currently leading the table, will face sixth-place Rapid away to conclude the regular league season. Altach, in seventh place, is still fighting for a spot in the championship group and will be visiting champions Sturm Graz.

ÖFB Cup, Semifinals

Red Bull Salzburg – SCR Altach 0–1 (0–1). 
Wals-Siezenheim, Red Bull Arena, 5,720 spectators, Referee Altmann.

Goal: 0–1 (45+2) Jäger

Salzburg: Schlager – Terzic (73. Bischoff), Gadou, Schuster, Krätzig – Bidstrup, Diabate (73. Onisiwo) – Redzic, Yeo (62. Lukic), Alajbegovic – Konate (62. Baidoo)

Altach: Stojanovic – Milojevic, Zech, Jäger – Ingolitsch, Demaku, Bähre, Ouedraogo – Massombo (85. Gorgon), Greil (76. Yalcin) – Diawara (66. Hrstic)

Yellow cards: Bidstrup, Schlager; Ouedraogo, Demaku, Yalcin, Gorgon