The curse lasted 14 years - that's how long it took Austria's Salzburg, since the club from Mozart's city was taken over by the powerful "Red Bull" corporation in 2005, to reach the group stage of the Champions League.
Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Dudelange, Dinamo Zagreb, Rijeka, Crvena zvezda... - all magical relegations in the qualifications for the elite, until the UEFA qualification system finally had "mercy" on the former semi-finalist of the Europa League, which was directly placed in the European elite.
And in the first appearance in the elite, a historic chance for the Austrians, a historic night - the European champion Liverpool is coming to the "Red Bull Arena" tomorrow, who will be eliminated if they lose.
The home team dreams of victory and a place in the round of XNUMX of the Champions League against one of the biggest clubs in Europe, and the atmosphere ahead of the big game and the expectations from the camp of the Austrian champion for "Vijesti" is evoked by the first goalkeeper of Salzburg, recently also of the Austrian national team - Cican Stanković.
- This is the biggest game in the history of the club. The stadium is sold out, as it is for every match, but the demand for tickets is now three times the capacity. If we had a stadium with 100 seats, it would be full. We can't wait for the game to start, we are relieved because we have already fulfilled the goal - third place and the continuation of the competition in Europe, but we believe that we can take a step higher. We are optimistic.
Are you optimistic, even though Liverpool seem powerful?
- We are playing against the best team in the world. Why is it the best? Because it has the best goalkeeper in the world (Alisson), the best defender in the world (Van Dijk), the best attack in the world (Salah, Mane, Firmino) and the best coach in the world (Klopp). That is my opinion. Liverpool won the Champions League, this season in the Premier League they have dropped only two points in 16 rounds, which is fascinating. Despite all that, we believe that we can achieve victory. And in Liverpool we showed that we can play with them, we were losing 3:0, in just 20 minutes we equalized at 3:3, but in the end we lost 4:3.
Liverpool's attack seems to be looking particularly lethal...
- Salah, Mane and Firmino form the best attacking trio in the world. They are all fantastic individually, but their collaboration is what makes them unique, sometimes unstoppable. They are extremely fast and good in front of goal. I watched Liverpool's attack against Everton and in other matches - they are impressive, but again I say that my team has a chance and can win.
Does Salzburg have any advantages?
- We have a young and talented team, which is not afraid of anyone. We play attacking, with a goal more it will be the same against Liverpool. We certainly won't defend ourselves. It's hard to say that Liverpool have any weaknesses - if there are any, we'll try to exploit them, but I can't talk about them before the game. The way we played the first match gives us optimism and confidence. Also, although Liverpool are playing great in the Premier League, they don't have a very positive away record in the Champions League. Of the last nine matches on the side, they have lost five - twice against Napoli, against Red Star, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. And that gives us additional faith that we can win and make a historic result.
Liverpool is not complete, missing Fabinho?
- He caused us a lot of problems in the first match. He is not the biggest star of the team, but he is one of the most important footballers. Maybe the key in the midfield, for this type of Liverpool game - he keeps both the defensive and offensive balance of the team. It will help us if he doesn't play, but Liverpool have a lot of good players.
And Salzburg has its assets, Europe has been buzzing for some time now about the 19-year-old, super-talented Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who has scored 28 goals in 21 matches this season?
- Haaland is a great potential, extremely unpleasant to guard. Salzburg has not had such a talented footballer for a long time, especially at such a young age. If he develops in the right way, if he is calm in his head, he can play at a top level, in a top European club. I think his height and style of play recommend him for the English Premier League.
Salzburg is, therefore, on its feet before Liverpool...
- This game means a lot to me and to all of us in the club. I can't wait for it to start. After a long time, the team qualified for the Champions League, and now we are in a situation where we are playing for passage to the knockout phase, against the European champions in front of our fans. We could only dream about that. We are looking forward to the game and believe that we can make a surprise.
I wouldn't want to go to one of the top five leagues and fight for the middle of the table
For four seasons, 27-year-old Stanković has been a member of Red Bull Salzburg, to which he came from Grodig, a member of the regional Austrian league.
He doesn't think much of a change of environment...
- I am very happy in Salzburg, and if I leave - it will only be a top club fighting for the title. I am not attracted to going to a team from the strongest leagues that is in the middle of the table, or is fighting for survival. Salzburg fights for trophies every season, plays in the Champions League or the Europa League, and that completely satisfies my ambitions - says Stanković.
If he does go, he has a league that is his favorite...
- I defend in Austria and the closest to me is the German Bundesliga. It's the same language and I wouldn't have that barrier, unlike in Italy or Spain, where I would probably need time to adapt.
Austria before BiH: I can't wait for the European Championship
Cican Stanković was born in Bosnia Herzegovina, in Bijeljina, but moved to Austria when he was five years old.
He defended in the junior selections of the Austrian national team, and in the recently completed qualifications he also stood in the goal of the senior selection - he played in four matches against Poland, Slovenia, Israel and Latvia. Each 90 minutes, he conceded only one goal...
- I was injured against Napoli in the Champions League in October and that threw me out of rhythm a bit, I took a break, but I recovered. Before the injury I was the first goalkeeper of the national team, I believe that after my recovery I will return to Austria's goal. The European Championship is coming and that prospect looks great. I hope that I will defend and that my health will serve me - says Stanković
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