After Salzburg's victory over Dynamo Kyiv in the first match (2-0) of the play-off round of the Champions League qualification, Austrian fans had no doubts that their team would get through the main round of the tournament without any problems. Therefore, they were surprised by the fact that the Bulls did not play the best way in the return match, allowing the opponent to create too many dangerous chances, which made everyone worried about the result until the last. The Austrians admit that Salzburg had a hard time in the confrontation with Dynamo and somewhere luck smiled on them.
The main creator of this victory fans consider the coaching staff headed by Pepijn Leynders, who not only changed the game of the team for the better, but also changed the mood of the players in the locker room and on the field. Pep has been called one of the most positive coaches in Salzburg's history. Many also noted his words about advice from Klopp and believe that it also helped to beat Dynamo.
Hartl: The second match against Dynamo turned out to be much more difficult than expected. Many people underestimated the opponent, but the Ukrainians played with dignity, creating a lot of problems for us. No other Austrian club could pass such a way in qualification and make it to the group round of the Champions League.
Rapp: 16 corners in the match against Salzburg, when have you ever seen such a thing in the Austrian championship? 19 against 12 shots in favor of Dynamo. A lot of dangerous moments for the Ukrainians... It was a difficult way - Kyivians are a very good team. No other team from Austria could become the second team of the Champions League. "Salzburg" could.
The game was really nervous, and Kyiv were better prepared in this confrontation. "Salzburg" was lucky, because the Ukrainians did not use their chances.
Preza: Despite the fact that our coach worked with Klopp for a long time, he lost this coaching confrontation to the Ukrainian specialist. If Dynamo coach had players of the same level as Salzburg, he would have easily passed on. I hope it's only because Pep is still getting to know the team and he needs more time to give Salzburg a good game.
Gerald: Couldn't watch the match to the end. The game was too nervous, our players often made mistakes in defense, allowing the opponents to constantly create dangerous moments at our goal. I did not enjoy the game.
Loizen: The game of the year for Salzburg is already at the beginning of the season. It was a real test for the team and the coach. In its current form, the club is not impressive, making too many mistakes in defense. But it is important to realize that progress is possible. And the most important thing is that Salzburg's matches are becoming so exciting!
Holz: It was very important to qualify for the main stage of the Champions League. We want too much from the new coach. He's not a magician and he can't create a dream team in a couple of games. Last season we saw the worst Salzburg in the last 10 years. Now the team is unrecognizable. I think that in the main round of the Champions League we will see a more confident team.
Franz: Shovkovskiy vs. Klopp? The Ukrainian coach and Dynamo had no chance! It is not for nothing that Leijnders admitted that the German coach helps him with advice, especially in the Champions League matches. Today we saw a different Salzburg, which knows how to be patient and wait. Who plays for results. And who understands that with a strong opponent it is better not to take risks.
Benistar: The main thing is that we're through. Half of the opponents in the Champions League will probably play at the same level as Dynamo and Twente. That is, it won't be easy, but 3-4 victories will be possible. Salzburg definitely have a chance against such teams.
Philip: Not the best game of Salzburg. The coaching staff obviously decided to play on counterattacks in the match with Dynamo, but they were not very dangerous. Also, our team did not take risks and did not use high pressing today. I understand that the result is most important, but I do not like when the team changes the style of play. It seems that the players today were not particularly comfortable to play from defense with such an opponent.
Autengruber: Congratulations to Salzburg, after another transfer sale and with a new coaching staff they are already strong enough for this stage of the season. I already wrote in the spring that I thought Salzburg were more likely to survive qualification by finishing second, due to seeding and also due to the higher quality of players. Many thought at the time that our club wouldn't play in the Champions League, but here we are. And I have a feeling that Salzburg will please us many times this season.
Karner: A very difficult and dangerous match. It's great that we took the lead, but then Baidu made a positional mistake and the alarm bell rang. In general, we didn`t like Salzburg`s game today. They left too much space for the Ukrainians. Unfortunately, our defense was not 100% reliable.
Matthias: It will be a fun Champions League for all of us. "Salzburg" was too good for Kiev, we should have won again, but we were too careful in attack today. I hope Ukraine will be lucky in other areas of life, sport is not so important for them now! Let's go, "Salzburg", the Champions League is calling!
Raber: Salzburg deservedly went further, but to be honest, with such a defense Salzburg will definitely have problems in the Champions League. They should bring in an experienced central defender so that teams of Dynamo's level don't create so many problems in defense.
Strubreiter: The best reinforcement of the team is our new coach Pep. And let's not forget about his friend Jurgen, who is actively helping him to build a new Salzburg. I think that with another coaching staff our club would not have been able to pass Dynamo. The Ukrainians were too strong.
Auer: It is unusual to see Salzburg playing second and sitting in defense. I understand that the new coach has his own thoughts about this, but for me Salzburg is a team that likes to attack, not defend.
Willi: "Salzburg didn't play well today, but they played well. Perhaps that was the right recipe for qualification. Sometimes you should forget about pride and act as intuition suggests. Too many times our club "died" beautifully, being in attack, but conceding a lot of goals. Let's not forget about injured players and newcomers who can not yet play. With them, Salzburg will be stronger. Two Austrian teams in the Champions League is just cool. We're in for a good fall with great games. It's good that I saved my vacation days for away trips.
Gutternigg: A weak game against a strong opponent. That happens sometimes too. Today only one thing mattered - the result. And we achieved it. Ukrainians played better, but they could not get their way. I think they will make some noise in the Europa League.
Arno: Pepijn Leijnders. This guy has seen and achieved so much at Liverpool, but he still gives the impression of a simple and likeable person. At Salzburg he will learn something professionally too. His joy and positivity are truly infectious. This man is exactly what Salzburg needed after last season.
Stein: Sturm would have no chance against Dynamo. And Salzburg had very difficult matches against Kyiv. In fact, the Ukrainians deserved to play in the Champions League, but luck was on our side.
Flix: It is simply amazing how confidently we have progressed this season. Pep is the best thing that has happened to Salzburg since Rangnick. The guy is a dream. And if you remember his words of advice from Klopp, it's clear how lucky we are.
Egon: I read today before the match that 9 or 10 Dynamo players were called up to the Ukraine national team. All of them took the field today. It turns out that Salzburg didn`t just play against 11 Ukrainians, they actually played against the Ukrainian national team, one of the best teams in Europe! We can understand why Dynamo played so strongly, and why it was so difficult for us in matches with the Ukrainians. And the more valuable is the victory over such a strong opponent.
Orest Petruskiv
