Salzburg's teenagers aiming for the semi-final clash against Trabzonspor - "Reaching the final is the only objective"
Strapping into the Youth League semis, Salzburg's young guns square off against Trabzonspor this Friday. Coach Daniel Beichler's game plan is clear: "Nobody sets foot off the pitch unless we've claimed the cup!"
The Austrian wonderkids fight for a spot in the final on Friday (14:00 CET, Sky broadcast) at Nyon. Their season has been nothing short of stellar, victory after victory against heavyweights like Bayer Leverkusen, PSG, and Atlético Madrid. Can they repeat their 2017 triumph?
Injuries taking a toll
The injury bug has claimed a few of Beichler's key players: goals machine Phillip Verhounig (adductor pain) and strikers Oghenetejiri Adejenughure and Enrique Aguilar are out. Edmund Baidoo, Joane Gadou, Valentin Sulzbacher, and Tim Trummer are locked in the Bundesliga title race.
Trabzonspor, a dark horse contender
Despite lackluster big-name recognition, the Turks have turned heads with wins over mammoths Juventus Turin, Atalanta Bergamo, and Inter Milan. "Three Italian teams down, that speaks volumes," warned Beichler. "These lads play with passion!"
Victory or bust
This is Salzburg's fourth Youth League semi-final. In 2017, they triumphed over Benfica Lisbon (2:1), but in 2022, they suffered a crushing 0:6 defeat. This year, the ultimate goal is plain and simple: secure a berth in the final on Monday (18:00 CET), no matter what stands in their way.
Enrichment Insights
- Key Players Missing: Though information about which key players might be out for Salzburg remains unconfirmed, injuries can significantly impact performance for both teams.
- Past Performances: Salzburg, former Champions and frequent semi-finalists in the UEFA Youth League, seek their third final win and second title. Trabzonspor, the first Turkish club to reach this stage, have won against Juventus, Atalanta, and Inter in impressive home games.
- Final Expectations: The eventual winner of this semi-final will face either AZ Alkmaar or Barcelona in the final. Both AZ and Barcelona have previous successes in the competition, setting the stage for an exhilarating championship bout. With Trabzonspor breaking new ground and Salzburg's proven track record, the semi-final promises to be nothing short of sensational.
- Salzburg's injury concerns might hamper their performance against Trabzonspor in the UEFA Youth League semis, as key players like Phillip Verhounig (adductor pain) and Oghenetejiri Adejenughure are out.
- Trabzonspor, despite lacking big-name recognition, have shown their mettle in European leagues by defeating powerhouses like Juventus Turin, Atalanta Bergamo, and Inter Milan.
- Coach Daniel Beichler of Salzburg aims to secure a spot in the final of the UEFA Youth League against Trabzonspor by any means necessary, following their disappointing 0:6 defeat in 2022.
- This year's UEFA Youth League final will see the clash between either AZ Alkmaar or Barcelona, who boast previous successes in the competition, and the winner of the Salzburg vs Trabzonspor semi-final.
