Gloukh secures home win v WAC

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FC Red Bull Salzburg

·3 December 2023

Gloukh secures home win v WAC

Big three points in close encounter

A good 21 hours later than originally planned, we took a 1-0 home win over WAC in 16th Matchday of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga. Oscar Gloukh scored the winner with a special strike before the break.

The visitors posed a series of questions over the 90 minutes, but the 19-year-old playmaking talent struck and Alex Schlager kept his ninth clean sheet of the season – a feat our Red Bulls have never before achieved by this stage of the season!

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Match summary

Our boys made a brave start on the pitch shining in green after being cleared of snow. Oscar Gloukh played the ball through to Petar Ratkov, who was leading the line in an unusual 4-2-3-1 formation, in the ninth minute, but his shot from a tight angle was tipped onto the post by WAC goalkeeper Bonmann.

After 15 minutes of play, the visitors managed to shake off their jittery start and began to probe us. Efforts from Bamba (16'), Boakye (19') and Jasic (21') called us to be alert despite a clinical touch lacking!

The first half became a very even affair, with our boys often a fraction late into their challenges, giving the visitors several chances.

We got the chance to celebrate just before the break as a ball lofted into the box was parried out just to the feet of Oscar Gloukh. The Israeli turned inside on the edge of the box before slotting a brilliant drive inside the far post to put us 1-0 up (45').

The second half saw a number of half chances initially. WAC clearly knew how to pose us problems, with possession near 50/50 and the shot count also even (13-16).

Our best opportunity to make it 2-0 fell to Amankwah Forson. The substitute won the ball high up the pitch superbly, only to be denied by away goalkeeper Bonmann in a one-on-one (70'). Five minutes later, Roko Simic - also on as a substitute - had a go but was denied (75'). The final phase was devoid of major chances, mostly. Only in stoppage time did Karim Konate fashion a big opening by taking the ball off the goalkeeper - only for him to chase back and deny our Ivorian. There was just the one goal amid temperatures of minus four at the Red Bull Arena in the end. The big three points see us move two points clear at the top of the table ahead of SK Sturm Graz (who drew 1-1 at BW Linz)!

Views

WAC pushed us all the way today. We made a super start to the game, controlled the first 15 minutes very well and put in a great shift, but we then allowed WAC to have too many opportunities. They sat deep and had the speed to threaten us on the break. We had some good luck in an odd situation or two, but we could have also scored another goal or two. It was a decent performance on the whole.

Alex Schlager

It was a hard bit of work. We play every three or four days, which pushes us to the limit. We always give our best. I am happy that my goal allowed us to extend the lead. We are going to stick at it and keep working.

Oscar Gloukh

We were the dominant team for the first 30 minutes, but after that Wolfsberg showed with their quick players that they are good on the break. We defended well and deserved the win.

Samson Baidoo

Line-up

Substitutions

Ulmer for Guindo (46'), Forson for Sucic (46'), Simic for Ratkov (71'), Konate for Nene (87'), Koita for Gloukh (90+3')

Yellow card

Piatkowski (90+6' foul)

Injury news

Not available for the match were Fernando (adductors), Lucas Gourna-Douath (thigh), Maurits Kjaergaard (shoulder), Bryan Okoh (thigh), Oumar Solet (thigh) and Aleksa Terzic (adductors). Strahinja Pavlovic is out suspended.