Bundesliga: Salzburg looks back at Europe

There were dances and the wave in front of the empty north grandstand, the obligatory beer showers did not come. After the match, the team and the support staff went to a bar outside Salzburg to toast to the triumph.

Trainer Jesse Marsch was ascetic at the celebration. A cyclist immediately after the end of the game will be his only alcoholic drink throughout the evening, the 46-year-old at least announced. The Salzburgers should not be reluctant in the sporting field next season.

14. Title, more goals

With a total of 14 championships since the Bundesliga was founded in 1974, Salzburg (including the successes of Austria Salzburg) are ex aequo with Vienna Austria at the top. In addition, with their 102 goals in 30 games so far, they ensured that the 100-goal mark was broken for the third time in league history. The “Bulls” did it themselves in 2013/14 (110/36), Rapid 1985/86 (101/36).

Despite the difficulties between the winter and corona virus breaks, Salzburg lived up to the claim of national dominance, and now the focus is again on Europe. On 22./23. and 29./30. September, the play-offs wait for participation in the Champions League, which you want to be part of as in the previous year.

“The next Ajax Amsterdam”

In 2019, the Salzburg team were firmly in the group phase as champions, this time you have to survive another knockout round. Trainer Jesse Marsch is also hoping for strength tests with the largest clubs on the continent. “My goal here is to always have a Champions League team. We want to be the next Ajax Amsterdam, ”said the ninth championship coach in the Red Bull era.

His order had been received with great skepticism by the Salzburg fans in the previous year. In the meantime, the doubters have fallen silent. With a march on the bench, Salzburg delivered strong Champions League appearances in autumn and have now chosen to be double winners.

“It is not over yet”

Therefore, the 46-year-old sees no reason to turn his back on the city of Mozart. “I’m sure to stay here. My relationship with everyone here is special. I get a lot of trust, especially from (Managing Director Stephan) Reiter and (Sport Director Christoph) Freund. I have no hurry to find something new. I and my family enjoy this time here. It is not over yet, ”emphasized Marsch.

However, as in the winter, when Erling Haaland and Takumi Minamino were sold, the coach is also likely to lose one or two key players in the summer. According to international media reports, Dominik Szoboszlai has drawn the attention of Arsenal and major Italian clubs. According to sports director Christoph Freund, Hwang Hee-Chan has received requests from RB Leipzig and the English Premier League.

The trainer as a role model

With a size that has been fixed in the Salzburg jersey for years, there is no need to worry. 34-year-old Andreas Ulmer is aiming for his twelfth Austrian championship title in the coming season, the eleventh with the “Bulls”. The basis for this is laid according to the left-back.

“As we are always integrating new players – you have to take your hat off to everyone who works in the club. That is very impressive, ”said Ulmer. The Upper Austrian was also positive about Marsch, who had recently described him as “best player in the history of Austria’s football”. “His share in the championship title is very large. He is always positive, pushes us in every training session and is a real role model for us, ”explained Ulmer.

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