Marsch: halftime changes secure win - Salzburg overturn deficit against Maccabi

Red Bull Salzburg coached by American coach Jesse Marsch have made a big step towards the Champions League group stage. On Tuesday night the Red Bulls managed to overturn a 1-0 first-half deficit into a narrow victory against Israeli club Maccabi Tel-Aviv. The Israelis had just 17 fit players left as nine players have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Despite their decimated squad, it was Maccabi, who would take an early lead. Dan Biton managed to get past two defenders and then beat goalkeeper Cican Stankovic with a beautiful shot. Salzburg were the more dominant side in the first half, Dominik Szoboszlai, in particular, had two chances to level the score (15' and 24'). 

Finally, in the 49th minute, the Hungarian leveled the score. Matan Baltaxa had brought down Patson Daka inside the box. Szoboszlai stepped up and hammered the ball into the net. Eight minutes later the Red Bulls had the match turned around. Sékou Koïta, who was brought on at halftime and quickly became the best player on the pitch, picked out Masaya Okugawa, the Japanese midfielder simply had to tap the ball across the line. 

Salzburg were now in complete control and could have put the tie away. In the 93rd minute, Noah Okafor hit the post, at 3-1 the tie would have been put to bed. As it stands, Salzburg will have some work left when they host Maccabi for the return leg in Salzburg.