Linz defeats Salzburg: Suddenly on course for the European Cup?

Linz defeats Salzburg: Suddenly on course for the European Cup?

Linz, Österreich - On May 18, 2025, the 31st matchday is in the Bundesliga, whereby the focus is on the encounter between Blau-Weiß Linz and Red Bull Salzburg. Linz is currently leading 1-0, which is an unexpected challenge for Salzburg. While the team from Salzburg absolutely wants to operate damage limitation in the remaining two rounds, it has proven to be unobtrusive this season. Salzburg is currently taking fourth place, behind the Vienna Austria and Wac.

coach Thomas Letsch underlines the urgency to get the maximum out due to the previous services against Linz and Rapid. Another defeat could have serious effects on the season, especially since Salzburg has not won against Linz in the recent past-the last encounters ended with a 1-1 on February 17 and a 0-2 defeat on November 10, 2022.

The Situation of the squad

currently, Salzburg lives in uncertainty regarding the missions of some players. Defender Hendry Blank has added problems and the availability is questionable. On the other hand, the replacement goal of Linz, Andreas Lukse, has undergone shoulder surgery and is therefore also not available. Linz only collected four points in the current master group and recently had to accept two defeats, which the coach Gerald Scheiblehner does not prevent from seeing the potential for surprises. With just four points behind fifth place, the situation is tense for Linz, because the fifth place entitles you to the European Cup play-off.

This season has emerged for Salzburg in particular striker Dorgeles Nene, who has already scored six goals in the master group and has a total of eleven goals this season.

Bundesliga in context

The Bundesliga is the top football league in Germany with 18 teams and has existed since the 1963/1964 season. There were significant developments in this season. Bayern Munich, the finest German Football Club, became champion again at the end of the 2024/2025 season and was at the top. In the same season, Holstein Kiel and VfL Bochum descended directly into the 2nd league. Holstein Kiel, the first promoted team, could not secure his league.

Although the 2024/2025 season was dominated by Bavaria, Bayer Leverkusen caused a sensation last year when she got the championship title under coach Xabi Alonso without defeat. The most expensive transfer in the history of the Bundesliga remains Ousmane Dembelé, who switched to FC Barcelona for 135 million euros in 2017/2018, while Harry Kane, the most expensive new addition of Bayern, was a top scorer in the current season until shortly before the end.

The game between Linz and Salzburg takes place in front of a sold -out house with almost 5,600 spectators, which increases the tension and the atmosphere on this decisive match day.