Game recap
No sign of the newcomers taking it easy. The visitors from Budapest dominated the opening stages and quickly created their first good chances. Then the Red Bulls also took up the challenge and shifted the action to the offensive zone. Peter Schneider tested Hungarian goalie Bence Balizs, first from distance and then directly in front of the goal (7th minute). Shortly afterward (9th minute), Lucas Thaler also tested the ball. Salzburg largely dictated the game, but good chances were rare. Until the 14th minute, Dennis Robertson received a pass in the slot and beat the visitors' goalie with a lob under the crossbar. That was the initial spark. Salzburg goalkeeper David Kickert was challenged at times, such as during a 2-on-1 in the 16th minute, but the Red Bulls continued to play forward and struck twice more. Peter Scheider deflected the ball in front of the goal (17th minute), and Troy Bourke briefly had space in the slot to extend the lead to 3-0 at halftime (20th minute).
The same shooter added another goal shortly after the break, again from the slot, this time with a one-timer for his first brace of the season (22nd minute). The Hungarians then intensified their offensive play – and scored. Tyni Paavo converted a cross pass with a direct shot (26th minute), and Jussi Tammela scored from a run at full speed (31st minute). The Red Bulls had the answer. After three assists (!) at this point, Benjamin Nissner shot from distance and fired past friend and foe into the net (33rd minute). Salzburg were back on track. Travis St. Denis increased the lead to 6-2 after 40 minutes with a rebound (35th minute), and the visitors barely got out of the defensive zone by the end.
