Our undisputed winner of our winter preparation period is - Mamady Diambou. He started in both in the cup quarter-final against LASK and the Bundesliga home match against Sturm Graz – for those who followed his fortunes in the weeks before that, this should have been no surprise.
We continually saw in the autumn just what he has to offer, but due to our packed schedule, we couldn't properly integrate him then. He has used his chance now and had a really good preparation period - he is the winner of that.
Those in the know have long been aware just how much potential the 21-year-old youngster has. The midfield maestro from Mali shone last summer in the U23 African Cup, for instance, being voted Player of the Match despite being knocked out in the semi-final.
A few weeks later, a major blow then came. Just a few days before the start of the Austrian Bundesliga season, Mamady broke his arm and was ruled out for a long time. After his recovery, our pack had been shuffled and he had to be content with a reserve spot, before he gained the chance to show just what he can do again in the winter break!
As an athlete, as a battler, it is always a difficult situation when you aren't playing or barely are. I kept believing in myself, gave my all, and it has paid off now – that makes me very happy, of course.
It soon became clear in our friendly matches just how much battling ability and comfort on the ball the midfielder offers. Mamady is a genuine all-rounder, who knows how to give his role an attacking interpretation or play on the wings when needed.
His good training and friendly performances were rewarded with a start in the two big games at the restart of the season.
Following in the footsteps of Mo Camara and Diadie Samassekou
After his move at the start of 2021 from Mali to Salzburg, in his first two seasons, Mamady played for our co-operation club FC Liefering before he became a permanent part of our squad in 2022/23.
Despite his talent, there was no immediate breakthrough into our starting line-up, and he therefore spent last winter on a half-year loan to Swiss first division side FC Luzern. He was not a regular there either but was able to gain some valuable playing time in Switzerland before he joined our squad again.
The most important thing for me was to have a good preparation period with the team, which was the case in Marbella and also here in Salzburg. After that I had a conversation with the coach, who assured me of his faith in me. I tried day by day to make a case in training for more playing time, but I have to admit it all went a bit fast suddenly. I hope, of course, that it continues like this and that I keep getting lots of playing time.
His time at our Red Bulls now seems to have come. A young man from Mali in defensive midfield has worked very well for us in the past, after all!
Going to the stadium as a family for a great price. At our upcoming Austrian Bundesliga home match against SC Austria Lustenau on Saturday 24 February (17:00 CET) you can buy a family ticket for the special price of just € 30–!
All the info on family tickets can be found here:
