Seven shots on target carry Salzburg past Levski Sofia

Salzburg make seven shots on target count in 1-0 win

Red Bull Salzburg opened their UEFA Europa League League Stage campaign with a 1-0 victory over Levski Sofia at the National Stadium Vasil Levski. Haris Tabaković scored the only goal in the 39th minute, and Salzburg held their advantage through the second half. The result leaves Salzburg with three points, while Levski begin the competition without a point.

Tabaković decides the first half

The decisive moment arrived before half-time when Tabaković found the net with a normal goal. Salzburg took that lead into the interval, and the visitors protected it for the remainder of the match. Tabaković completed 90 minutes, registered two shots on target and earned a 7.5 rating, making him the highest-rated Salzburg outfield player in the supplied ratings.

Levski made their first change in the 58th minute, replacing Álex Centelles with David Kusso. Salzburg responded five minutes later by sending on Damir Redzic for Sota Kitano, before Karim Konate replaced Yorbe Vertessen in the 69th minute. Levski also introduced Juan Esteban Perea Sanchez, Mazire Soula and Steven Stoyanchov during the closing stages.

Levski had volume but not accuracy

The statistics show a contest that was closer in possession and overall attempts than the scoreline suggests. Salzburg had 54% of the ball and completed 404 accurate passes from 469, narrowly ahead of Levski’s 402 accurate passes from 465. Levski actually attempted more shots, 14 to 12, and recorded nine shots inside the box, matching Salzburg’s total.

The key difference was accuracy. Salzburg put seven efforts on goal, while Levski recorded none. Levski had eight blocked shots and six shots off goal, but could not force a save from the Salzburg goalkeeper. At the other end, Levski goalkeeper S. Vutsov made six saves in 90 minutes and received the match’s highest rating, 7.6. His performance kept the margin to one goal.

Discipline increases after the interval

The match produced six yellow cards and no red cards. Kitano was booked in the 41st minute, two minutes after the goal, while Centelles and Tabaković were cautioned in the 55th and 56th minutes. Bartosz Mazurek and Vertessen followed for Salzburg, and Abubakr Barry received the final booking in the 90th minute. Salzburg finished with five yellow cards to Levski’s one and committed 21 fouls compared with Levski’s nine.

League table position after round one

Salzburg sit seventh in the League Round table with three points, a 1-0 record and a goal difference of plus one. Levski are 32nd after one defeat, with a goal difference of minus one. Salzburg’s recent form was listed as win, draw, win, win before this match; no recent form data was available for Levski.