Red Bull Salzburg have won the last eight Austrian Bundesliga titles. The energy drink-fuelled club are now in search of number nine and go looking for it with a new coach at the helm.
Jesse Marsch led Red Bull Salzburg to back-to-back domestic doubles before leaving for Germany’s RB Leipzig in the offseason.
When the gym becomes a photo booth. It's media day! 📸 pic.twitter.com/M1I2MrrQ31— FC Red Bull Salzburg EN (@FCRBS_en) July 20, 2021
When the gym becomes a photo booth. It's media day! 📸 pic.twitter.com/M1I2MrrQ31
His replacement, Matthias Jaissle, will be expected to get off to a good start and secure domestic silverware once more.
On Friday night, the reigning champions meet Sturm Graz on matchday 1. Sturm Graz finished fourth in 2020-21 during the Bundesliga’s regular season.
They second 39 points from 66 on offer in the regular season before ending the Championship Playoffs in third.
Sturm Graz’s third-place finish in the playoffs allowed them to qualify for the Europa League playoff round. Meanwhile, Red Bull Salzburg qualified for the Champions League playoff round.
After qualifying for the Champions League group stage for the first time ever last season, Salzburg are continuing their upward trajectory. Jaissle’s team are coming off of an Austrian Cup 4-1 win over WSC Hertha last weekend.
Despite selling their top scorer from last season, Patson Daka, to Leicester City, Salzburg have reloaded. Daka wasn’t the only key first-team player to be sold. Salzburg also sold midfielder Enock Mwepu to Brighton.
In total, nine players were sold by the club as Andre Ramalho and Masaya Okugawa left as well. The club brought in an incredible €61 million-plus. Now club in the world is run as efficiently as Red Bull Salzburg.
Just three players have come in on transfers and Salzburg have promoted players from within.
Brenden Aaronson, Mergim Berisha, and Sekou Koita will be key to the team winning domestic silverware and qualifying for the Champions League group stage once more.
Jaissle has just one injury concern going into the opening weekend. Defender Albert Vallici is ruled out until November with an Achilles tendon issue. Sturm Graz manager Christian Ilzer has no injury issues going into the match.
Sturm Graz forward Jakob Jantscher led the team in goals last term.
He tallied nine goals and nine assists to lead the team in both categories. Ilzer needs Jantscher to play well on opening day to take points off of Salzburg.
Sturm Graz and Red Bull Salzburg played five times last season – twice in regular season, twice in Championship playoffs, and once in the Austrian Cup.
Red Bull Salzburg won three of the five games, although Sturm Graz won both regular season games.
Salzburg should start the Jaissle era with a win over Sturm Graz on Friday night and continue their win streak against Ilzer’s team.
The Red Bulls have won three straight games versus Sturm Graz and should make it a fourth. Expect over 2.5 goals with both sides finding the back of the net.