Altach Advances, Salzburg’s Cup Run Ends in Shock Defeat

Altach has reached the ÖFB Cup final for the first time in club history, securing a stunning 1-0 victory away against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday. A header from captain Lukas Jäger in the 45+2 minute proved to be the decisive goal, sending the Vorarlberg side into the final, which will be held in Klagenfurt on May 1st.

The win marks a significant upset, as Altach had previously struggled against Salzburg, with their last league victory against the Austrian powerhouse coming on March 7, 2015, a 1-0 win. They also secured a 3-2 league win at home on March 2, 2020. Prior to this match, their only previous cup encounter ended in a 4-0 defeat in the 2014/15 quarter-finals.

Altach’s success comes under the guidance of head coach Ognjen Zaric, who remains undefeated in his six matches in charge. The team’s recent form, including 2-2 and 1-1 draws against Salzburg in the league this season, clearly instilled confidence. However, their path to the final is momentarily paused as the semi-final match between SV Oberbank Ried and LASK was postponed due to fog, leaving Altach awaiting their opponent for the May 1st showdown.

A Tight Contest in Salzburg

Despite dominating possession, Salzburg failed to capitalize on early opportunities. Moussa Yeo had a header saved by the post in the 10th minute, and Filip Milojevic blocked a dribble and shot from Yeo in the 18th minute. Altach, however, didn’t simply sit back, and defend. They demonstrated intent, with Mohamed Ouedraogo unleashing a powerful long-range shot that narrowly missed the target before halftime.

The breakthrough came just before the interval, with Jäger rising to meet a perfectly delivered corner from Greil, heading the ball past the Salzburg goalkeeper. It was Jäger’s first goal in 27 ÖFB Cup appearances, a crucial moment for both the player and the club.

The second half saw Altach adopt a more defensive posture, focused on protecting their lead. Salzburg struggled to break down a resolute Altach defense, with goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic making key saves in the 54th and 71st minutes to deny Yeo and Alajbegovic, respectively. Despite late substitutions by Salzburg coach Daniel Beichler, Altach held firm, with Alajbegovic and Karim Onsiwo failing to convert late chances.

Changes in Lineups

Salzburg made three changes to their starting lineup compared to their recent goalless draw against Hartberg. Aleksa Terzic and Jannik Schuster replaced Tim Trummer and Tim Drexler in defense, while Damir Redzic started on the wing in place of Edmund Baidoo. Altach, meanwhile, fielded an unchanged side, with Sandro Ingolitsch and Ousmane Diawara, who had impressed as substitutes in their previous match against Rapid, earning starting positions. Moritz Oswald and Srdjan Hrstic were relegated to the bench as a result.

The victory for Altach represents a significant achievement for the club and a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline. While the identity of their final opponent remains uncertain due to the postponement of the Ried-LASK match, Altach will undoubtedly relish the opportunity to compete for the ÖFB Cup title on May 1st. For Salzburg, the defeat marks a setback, particularly after a promising start to the season under new coach Daniel Beichler, and raises questions about their ability to convert dominance into goals.

Salzburg will now turn their attention back to the league, where they currently lead the table, and face a challenging away match against Rapid Vienna to conclude the league’s regular season. Altach, meanwhile, will travel to Sturm Graz, the reigning champions, as they continue their pursuit of a spot in the championship group.