Red Bull Salzburg – RB Leipzig: A point against match-fixing

WIs it the irony of fate? Last Thursday, the German Football Association brought together only the RB Leipzig players to talk to them about the match. Although it was primarily a preventive campaign against the dangers of addiction to gambling and manipulation, it is not a particular comedy that a few days before the duel of Leipzig with Salzburg in the Europa League Thursday night (18h55, RTL Nitro and DAZN) has arrived. After all, two paper clubs could hardly be closer to each other than are the Red Bull products from Germany and Austria.

Both teams were founded by billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, who still receive millions of euros from his drinks empire, and still have a similar appearance. The coach and sports director of Leipzig, Ralf Rangnick, was also sports director in Salzburg. Six current Saxon professionals were already under contract in the city of Mozart. It is therefore not surprising that conspiracy theories circulate in the particular constellation of the Europa League.

Salzburg is the undisputed leader in Group B with 12 points in four games and is almost certainly in the elimination phase. Leipzig, on the other hand, only has six points, tied for points with Celtic Glasgow, the second to fear progress. So what's easier than a brief announcement of Red Bull's headquarters in Fuschl am See to make sure both teams reach the sixteenth final? Games of mind that meet with vehement contradiction in Salzburg. "All those who know our players and the way we play football, or who attended the first leg in Leipzig, never come with this absurd idea," said Salzburg Sports Director Christoph Freund WELT.

The stable order is "nonsense"

In 3: 2, the Austrians of the first leg attended an intense duel, which allowed the team of coach Marco Rose to win little late in the game. In fact, nothing indicated at the symposium at this match. This is how Leipzig managing director, Oliver Mintzlaff, described a possible "stall order" as "nonsense" in the run-up to the meeting. Mateschitz immerses himself in the "nullkommanull" case and has no influence on Salzburg himself, said Mintzlaff, former head of the "world football" of the "Leipziger Volkszeitung" (International Football) .

On the first day, the starting position in the group was also completely open. In Nyon, the best keepers of the moral of UEFA evaluate the situation in the same way. A special observation of football by the European Football Federation will not give it according to official data. On request, a spokesperson for the badociation made reference to the June 2017 decision.

At that time, UEFA arrived after extensive reviews and improvements of both clubs to conclude that they were acting independently of each other. Previously, the Financial Control Chamber for Clubs (FKKK) had closely examined the two clubs. In her opinion, she wrote:

"After the two clubs made significant changes in terms of management and structure (business problems, finances, human resources, sponsorship, etc.), the FKKK came to the conclusion that no natural or legal person has such a decisive influence over more than one UEFA The club has a participating club. "Leipzig is still a subsidiary of Red Bull. In Salzburg, the beverage manufacturer only acts as the main sponsor.

Salzburg fans are scared

Even more so than UEFA's Judicial Assessment speaks primarily of the emotional conflict between the two clubs for a fair and open match next Thursday. Since the creation of the RB subsidiary in Leipzig in 2009, Salzburg has been gradually replaced by Mateschitz, the boss of Red Bull.

With each move to the German market, much more focused on advertising and the flagship product than the Bundesliga, more and more resources have been transferred to Saxony. Year after year, the best players left Salzburg to settle in Leipzig. This did not help that nine of the last twelve league titles went to Red Bull in Austria.

Fans felt lulled, demoted to a training club for German parents. For years, his protest against Leipzig has accompanied home games. Before the first leg, two months ago in Leipzig, there was a walk of about 600 Salzburg to the stadium. They have always chanted humiliating songs against Leipzig and Ralf Rangnick. Some even wore "RR Hater" shirts. Actions that show how much the relationship between the two clubs is inflamed, at least at the level of supporters.

More than the number two in the Red Bull universe

"This is certainly because many of our favorite spectators have moved to Leipzig in recent years," said Salzburg CEO Stephan Reiter WORLD. The incidents did not go without consequences. "Even though such protests happen again and again in football, we did not just want to leave things that way and accept them, that 's why we had interviews with supporters' representatives at the time of the event. review, "he said. Hatred and aggression should not have their place in the Bullenduell, sports but the rivalry should now be so great that collusion is excluded.

Rangnick and Leipzig will do everything in their power to forget the failure of the first leg. Since then, the Saxon curve shows a steep slope. The same applies to Salzburg. During last season, the team was able to qualify for the semi-finals of the Europa League. Leipzig failed at the time in the quarterfinals. A repeat run in the round of 16, and ahead of Leipzig, would be reaffirmed as being more than number two in the Red Bull Universe.

"The point of view of our fans is not really different from that of the club officials, we all want to get the necessary point against a big club of the German Bundesliga and thus qualify for the next round of the Europa League. "said Reiter. The anticipation of the game is great. For the first time this season, the Salzburg Arena will all be sold.