Red Bull Salzburg 1–0 Arsenal (H/T: 0-0). RBS Goal: Janocko
As Red Bull Salzburg looked to test themselves against some of Europe's finest, their opponents in next week's Second Champions League Qualifying Round were confirmed as Ventspils. The Latvians beat Welsh side TNS 2-1 to go through on away goals after losing 2-3 in the first leg. The exact dates of the next two legs of qualifying are to be made known tomorrow.
If Salzburg are to face any European nights like tonight's friendly this season, their fans can get set for an amazing ride. 31,000 came to see Red Bull Salzburg host Arsenal in the opening match of the newly expanded Bulls Arena, with the Bulls sealing a prestigious 1-0 win thanks to a Janocko strike after 74 minutes.
To add some additional intrigue, a natural pitch was especially laid for tonight's match as Salzburg prepared for EURO 2008.
Red Bull Salzburg started the sell-out clash with the following line-up (4-4-1-1): Ochs; Dudic, Vargas, Sekagya, Alex; Pitak, Kovac, Ilic, Vonlanthen; Aufhauser; Zickler.
4 minutes: The Bulls launch a fabulous move with Zickler spraying the ball to Pitak, who finds Ilic, who shoots wide.
Directly following that chance, the English side have their first opportunity through Rosicky but Ochs can comfortably deal with the Czech's 30-yard attempt on goal.
11 minutes: Alex takes a Bulls' free-kick and Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann briefly appears to be caught in two minds but turns behind for a corner that comes to nothing.
13 minutes are over in what is turning out to be a decent game. Arsenal are looking their usual fluent selves, attempting to pass their way through a Bulls' defence that is looking rather sturdy.
18 minutes: The Londoners try their luck from distance again as Denilson shoots but Ochs is once again untroubled.
A minute later: Eduardo sprints full throttle towards a ball that was played into his path with immaculate precision, but Kovac can boot clear before his Croatian national team-mate is able to shoot.
27 minutes: Superb opening for the Bulls! Alex fires a lovely cross into the box allowing Pitak to shoot from a favourable position. The Czech can only find team-mate Alex Zickler however and the Arsenal defence defuse the situation.
Once more the Bulls head on the attack after 30 minutes as Zickler fires an effort wide from just outside the box.
The last minutes of the first half are devoid of any real note, with the game being confined to the centre of the pitch and chances in short supply.
As the referee whistles to end the first period it therefore remains 0-0.
Timo Ochs, Niko Kovac and Rene Aufhauser fail to emerge after the break as Özcan, Carboni and Leitgeb take their places in the Bulls' line-up.
After the re-start Arsenal look to dominate the affair, sending plenty of quick passes towards their frontmen.
But the Bulls refuse to be fazed by Arsenal's renewed vigour. Leitgeb demonstrates his fine ability by coming close with a 25 yard drive after 50 minutes.
Huge chance for the Gunners after 58 minutes! The ball comes to Eduardo via Hleb and Bendtner but the new Arsenal striker hits wide to the left.
59 minutes: The Bulls make another host of changes. Zickler, Ilic, Vonlanthen and Pitak leave the field as Steinhöfer, Jezek, Janocko and Lokvenc enter the fray.
Arsenal face some intense Salzburg pressure as their substitute goalkeeper Fabianski comes to the rescue with his hand. Unfortunately for him, his intervention clearly came outside the area and he sees yellow as Steinhöfer clatters the Bulls' free-kick into the wall.
69 minutes are over and it's still goalless, but a thoroughly entertaining stalemate. Both sides are attacking more than they did in the first half and the Bulls have improved significantly.
70 minutes: Arsenal get a pair of chances but da Silva and Bendtner find their match in Sekagya and Özcan respectively!
72 minutes: Another RBS substitution is made as Miyamoto replaces Vargas.
74 minutes: 1-0 to Red Bull Salzburg!!! Dudic puts in some great work on the right hand side and his cross-field ball gets deflected into the path of Janocko who hammers a drive neatly into the left-hand corner! 31,000 Bulls fans go wild!
The fans are so happy they're doing the wave (Mexican style)!
Salzburg continue to press forward with some occasionally flashy football. Distant efforts from Leitgeb and Carboni fly off-target.
A great counter-attack from the Londoners after 84 minutes! Da Silva is set-up perfectly and takes the ball in his stride but Özcan makes no mistake when rushing out from goal to deny the Gunners.
Leitgeb again! On this occasion the young Austrian twists and weaves away on the left before sending a powerful shot crashing into the stands to the right.
Arsenal search for a late equalizer: Da Silva powers his way towards goal on the left but is unable to beat Sekagya.
A minute later Eduardo is desperately close with his head.
And that is that! The referee blows for full-time and Red Bull Salzburg seal a surprise 1-0 win over Arsenal!
Giovanni Trapattoni: "That was an important and pleasurable win. Above all it will fill us with self-belief for the forthcoming European ties. We really shouldn't take too much for granted with this win however or get carried away at all. Every match starts at 0-0, including Saturday's against LASK."
Alex Zickler: "There was an absolutely fantastic atmosphere here today. This stadium with its wonderful fans spurs us on that extra special bit."
