Will Salzburg defend their narrow lead?
Five Austrian teams started the international mission, in the spring only the Bullen from the Mozart city are represented. Once again, the team from the city of Mozart has to keep the red-white-red flags flying high internationally. Will this still be the case late on Thursday evening? In the second leg between AS Roma and Red Bull Salzburg, betting on the Bulls to progress is now even the option that results in lower betting odds.
The Bullen celebrated a late victory in the first leg and accordingly go into the clash at the Olimpico di Roma with a razor-thin lead. The young Bullen team will be playing for time away from home, as the pressure increases for Roma with every minute. The enormous pace that the Bullen eleven has in their own ranks could thus become a big advantage.
If Salzburg actually manage to progress, this would also be of great importance with regard to the UEFA Five-Year Ranking, as Austria is in danger of losing tenth place (and thus the CL fixed spot). The match in the eternal city of Rome kicks off on Thursday evening at 9 p.m.
AS Rome – Statistics & current form
Compared to last season, the Giallorossi have as many as six more points to show for their efforts this season after 23 matchdays. However, Roma still have no chance of winning the Scudetto, as they are already 18 points behind SSC Napoli. The goal in the league is a top-four finish to secure their return to the CL.
Mourinho of course with outstanding defence
It is no sensation that a team led by “The Special One” Jose Mourinho has a defence that is as strong as an ox. He also formed a massive defensive bulwark at Roma, especially at home. In the 23 league games so far, 19 goals have been conceded (only Napoli and Juventus have conceded fewer). What is particularly impressive, however, is the fact that Roma have only conceded five goals at home. In no league match at home did the Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio have to make more than one save.
This defensive stability will also be sorely needed on Thursday. The Italian favourites will have to improvise a little in their forward play. World champion Paulo Dybala will definitely be absent due to a thigh injury, while striker Tammy Abraham was substituted with an injury in the 1-0 win against Hellas Verona. He will only be available at short notice. Roma rarely produce offensive fireworks anyway, and without their two top strikers the likelihood is even lower. In the second leg between AS Roma and Red Bull Salzburg, a prediction of Under 2.5 is therefore a very good option.
Last matches of AS Roma:
Serie A
20/02/2023 – AS Roma 1 – 0 Verona
Europa League Final Stage
17/02/2023 – RB Salzburg 1 – 0 AS Roma
Serie A
11/02/2023 – Lecce 1 – 1 AS Roma
04/02/2023 – AS Roma 2 – 0 Empoli
Coppa Italia
02/02/2023 – AS Roma 1 – 2 Cremonese
Red Bull Salzburg – Statistics & current form
The Bulls only missed out on qualifying for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League again on the last matchday in the autumn. Now it’s on to the Europa League and this competition is tailor-made for the Bullen. This is the ninth time that the team from the city of Mozart has reached the knockout phase, only Ajax Amsterdam surpassing them with ten appearances. The best result was the semi-final in the 2017/18 season.
The Bullen’s away record on the international stage certainly does not serve as an argument for advancing. Salzburg remained winless in their last seven appearances as guests (three draws, four defeats). And in the Europa League knockout phase, too, the away record of 2-2-9 is anything but positive. Nevertheless, the Jaissle eleven can count on a good chance of progressing on Thursday evening in Rome.
The form is right
Salzburg will not be able to achieve a fifth consecutive national double after their cup exit in their first competitive match in 2023, but that was the only setback. In addition to the success in the first leg against the Romans, the Bullen celebrated two clear victories in the league and thus underpinned their ambitions to win the title for the tenth time in a row. The coolness of the young Salzburg team is particularly impressive. Last Thursday, Jaissle set a new record with his starting line-up. Never before has a Bullen team been younger on the international stage, averaging just 23 years and 243 days old.
Salzburg are no longer celebrating one goal after the other, but are acting much more economically. An opponent does not have to be shot out of the stadium with five goals; it is much more a matter of keeping an eye on the strengths for the tasks ahead. Jaissle formed a “mature” team out of the young Bullen squad, which can keep up with the top teams. Salzburg will try to keep the score at zero for as long as possible so that the home side will be unsettled. Should spaces open up, Okafor & Co will be in a position to exploit them. This alignment serves as a further argument for considering odds on the under 2.5 between AS Roma and Salzburg.
Last matches of Red Bull Salzburg:
Bundesliga
19/02/2023 – WSG Tirol 1 – 3 RB Salzburg
Europa League Final Stage
17/02/2023 – RB Salzburg 1 – 0 AS Roma
Bundesliga
11/02/2023 – RB Salzburg 4 – 0 Austria Lustenau
Club friendlies
04/02/2023 – RB Salzburg 3 – 4 Grazer AK
Cup
04/02/2023 – RB Salzburg (4)1 – 1(5) Sturm Graz
AS Roma – Red Bull Salzburg Direct comparison / H2H-balance
A bit of luck, an outstanding Philipp Köhn and a last-minute goal made for an all-round successful evening in Wals-Siezenheim last Thursday. Roma was certainly the team that had the better chances. In the end, however, it was only substitute Nicolas Capaldo who brought joy to the Bullen camp in the city of Mozart. His goal in the 88th minute put Salzburg in front. Roma remained without a goal for the first time in 25 international away games. Meanwhile, odds of 1.75 are being offered for the Austrian champions to progress in the “To Qualify” between AS Roma and Red Bull Salzburg.
AS Roma – Red Bull Salzburg Tip
For the 26th time Roma lost the first leg in an international knockout competition last weekend, so far the Romans have only managed to progress nine times anyway. While home strength is in the Mourinho eleven’s favour, the lapses in the Roman attack, as well as the Austrian visitors’ lack of concern with the pace available in attack, should not be underestimated. Value is not a given in AS Roma vs Red Bull Salzburg in the home win tip. The 1.71 does not seem interesting in this respect.
The away record of the Bulls is not scary, but in this starting position, the advantage is not only with the Bulls due to the result. The experienced Roma eleven must not take too many risks, because the tempo disadvantages are obvious. All in all, the chances of the last Austrian representative advancing are very good. For the second leg between AS Roma and Red Bull Salzburg, the betting odds at “To Qualify Salzburg” are pegged at six units. A game with few goals is also expected, so an Under 2.5 and “Both teams meet? No” are also considered.
