Win in seven-goal spectacular in Graz

It was a match that saw a red card, the lead constantly swapping hands, and a stroke of genius to seal the win! In a gripping rollercoaster encounter, our boys defeated SK Sturm on Matchday 12 of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga, taking all three points back to Salzburg. In a turbulent match featuring seven goals and intense emotions, our side fought their way to a hard-earned, well-deserved away win - thanks to goals from Tabakovic, Morgalla, Redzic and Lindstrom - ensuring they remain unbeaten on the domestic stage.

5' – backheeling in front and misfortune with offside

The match could hardly have started better for our team. Haris Tabakovic finished a low cross with a brilliant backheel to make it 1-0 early on. Just moments later, the ball was in the back of the Graz net once again, as Mazurek hammered it into the top corner. However, the referee’s whistle cut our celebrations short, as Morgalla had been caught offside in the build-up.

16' & 18' – Diakite catches us cold

Following this frantic opening phase, the Graz side struck back with clinical precision. First, we failed to clear a corner kick, then our former player Oumar Diakite was perfectly positioned to head the ball home. Although Tabakovic almost managed a last-ditch clearance, VAR confirmed the goal after a review lasting nearly two minutes (16'). No sooner had our boys recovered from the equaliser than Diakite appeared in front of Zawieschitzky again - this time latching onto a chipped pass - and finished precisely to make it 2–1 (18')

29' & 32' – Morgalla gets us level, red card on touchline

The match continued as a gripping, end-to-end affair before our Red Bulls provided the perfect response. Following a through ball from Bartosz Mazurek, Leandro Morgalla scored his first goal for the club to level the score at 2–2 (29'). The quality of play subsequently dipped, while tempers on the pitch began to flare. After a challenge left Damir Redzic with a bloody nose - with no foul called - Danny Röhl protested vociferously and was promptly shown a red card by the referee (32').

67' & 70' – quick trade of goals after the break

The clash remained extremely intense after the interval. Graz initially gained a slight territorial advantage, but our Red Bulls struck back with clinical efficiency. After winning the ball, Yorbe Vertessen drove through the center and found Damir Redzic, who - following a quick feint - finished decisively to make it 3–2. The joy was short-lived, however, as following a long ball from Malic, Gorenc Stankovic rose high inside the penalty area to score. The Graz captain noticed out of the corner of his eye that Zawieschitzky had rushed well off his line, and he lofted a delicate header over our goalkeeper to make it 3–3.

74' – Lindstrom with the decisive blow

Our team took this latest setback in their stride and responded with the finest piece of play of the match. Lindstrom got the better of several defenders, drove decisively into the penalty area, and coolly slotted the ball into the near corner to restore our lead. In the final minutes, the hosts threw everything forward, but our lads defended against the opposition’s late surge with great determination to secure the fantastic win.

With this hard-fought win, our Red Bulls have maintained their unbeaten record in the league and are making a real statement as the second half of the regular season begins. Following a thrilling win in this top-of-the-table clash, the team heads into the international break with all three points in the bag.

The following players were unavailable: Enrique Aguilar (thigh), Kevin Boma (calf), Sota Kitano (ankle), John Mellberg (thigh), Justin Omoregie (ankle), Dominik Schmid (knee) and Nikolas Veratschnig (knee).

Line-ups & Substitutions

SK Sturm: Helac – Malic, Quarshie, Koller – Heil (77' Mamageishvili), Weinhandl, Gorenc Stankovic ©, Balbo (89' Vallci) – Seidl (77' Jatta), Hödl (66' Matoshi) – Diakite

FC Red Bull Salzburg: Zawieschitzky – Morgalla (85' Chase), Drexler, Zabransky, Krätzig – Barry, Diabate (59' Vertessen) – Redzic (77' Baidoo), Mazurek, Lindstrom (85' Tohumcu) – Tabakovic ©

Attendance: 15,548

Referee: Walter Altmann

Goals: Diakite (16', 18'), Gorenc Stankovic (70'); Tabakovic (5'), Morgalla (29'), Redzic (67'), Lindstrom (74')

Yellow cards: Malic (75'/foul) and Diabate (55'/foul), Tabakovic (77'/foul), Tohumcu (89'/foul)

Red card: Röhl (32', for dissent)