Ridle Baku gave VfL the lead in the third minute in front of 16,112 spectators, including around 800 Salzburg fans, while Maximilian Wöber equalized in the 30th minute from a free kick. Lukas Nmecha scored the decisive goal in the 60th minute, with which the Germans took revenge for the 1: 3 in Wals-Siezenheim in mid-October.
The game almost started like the first duel between the two clubs two weeks ago – with an early goal from Karim Adeyemi. However, the German team player used by Noah Okafor did not get the ball into the goal from a few meters in front of DFB team boss Hansi Flick (2nd). The bill for it was presented to you almost in return. With a bit of luck, ex-LASK professional Paulo Otavio prevailed against Rasmus Kristensen and played on Yannick Gerhardt, whose cross was converted by Baku. Before that, the 23-year-old had hurried from Luka Sucic.
The Salzburgers were not deterred by the early setback. Sucic tried it from a distance in the eighth minute, the shot flew relatively just over the crossbar. Nicolas Seiwald failed from an acute angle to Koen Casteels (26th). Four minutes later, the “superior” of ex-ÖFB team player Pavao Pervan, who was sitting on the bench, was not innocent at 1-1 – Casteels let Wöber pass a not too well-placed free kick. It was the first goal in the Champions League for the central defender.
Before the break, it was only really dangerous in the Salzburg sixteenth when Wout Weghorst maneuvered the ball over the goal after Gerhardt’s cross (36th). Neo-Wolfsburg coach Florian Kohfeldt ordered the Dutchman into the starting line-up after he had overcome the corona infection.
The first minutes of the second half were again dominated by Salzburg, who in this phase, however, missed a possible victory and thus an early promotion to the round of 16. Again Adeyemi shot after Okafor’s work alone in front of Casteels (50th), and Okafor found his master in the Wolfsburg goalkeeper (53rd).
The home side presented themselves more efficiently. After a pass from Maximilian Arnold, Wöber initially picked up the offside and then attacked too hesitantly. Nmecha was able to prepare the ball and hit the short cross corner with a full shot. Five minutes later, the VfL professional almost made it 3-1 from a similar position, this time the ball went over the goal. In the final phase, Salzburg fought doggedly but unsuccessfully for a point that would have guaranteed at least third place and thus a move to the Europa League.
The Bulls came particularly close to the 2-2 in the 84th minute, but Casteels saved against Adeyemi substitute Benjamin Sesko. Salzburg will continue in the Champions League in Lille in two weeks. With a win at the French champions you would book the round of 16 ticket.
