Mwepu and Daka on target in Salzburg win over LASK
By Aaron Mubanga Jnr | May 17, 2021
Chipolopolo Boys duo of striker Patson Daka and midfielder Enock Mwepu scored a goal each on Sunday as Redbull Salzburg thrashed LASK Linz 5-2 in an Austrian Bundesliga encounter played at the Raiffeisen Arena in Pasching.
Salzburg wrapped up their title defense in midweek hence coach Jesse Marsch decided to make changes to his starting line up naming his youngest starting XI of the season with an average age of 22 years and 263 days.
21-year-old shot-stopper Nico Mantl made his debut for the Austrian Champions, Oumar Mickael Solet Bomawoko partnered Andre Ramalho in the heart of the defense, 20-year-old Nicolas Seiwald started in midfield alongside Antoine Bernede.
Noah Okafor started on the left win while Karim Adeyemi partnered with Patson Daka upfront.
After a slow start, the hosts took the lead through Johannes Eggestein but the lead did not last as Enock Mwepu was quick to react to a rebound ball a minute later after some good work from both him and Patson Daka in the build-up to level matters.
PASCHING,AUSTRIA,16.MAY.21 – SOCCER – tipico Bundesliga, championship group, Linzer ASK vs Red Bull Salzburg. Image shows Enock Mwepu (RBS). Photo: GEPA pictures/ Jasmin Walter – For editorial use only. Image is free of charge.
Salzburg took the lead in the next minute as Noah Okafor returned to the score sheet with a neatly taken finish after being set up by Karim Adeyemi.
Daka increased Salzburg’s lead a minute to half time after finishing off a Seiwald pass with Mwepu heavily involved in the build-up, 27th league goal for the season for the 2017 CAF young player of the year.
PASCHING,AUSTRIA,16.MAY.21 – SOCCER – tipico Bundesliga, championship group, Linzer ASK vs Red Bull Salzburg. Image shows the rejoicing of Patson Daka, Noah Okafor, and Karim Adeyemi (RBS). Photo: GEPA pictures/ Christian Moser – For editorial use only. Image is free of charge.
PASCHING,AUSTRIA,16.MAY.21 – SOCCER – tipico Bundesliga, championship group, Linzer ASK vs Red Bull Salzburg. Image shows the rejoicing of Patson Daka (RBS). Photo: GEPA pictures/ Christian Moser – For editorial use only. Image is free of charge.
The second half also started slowly but Salzburg made in 4-1 in the 67th minute as Adeyemi controlled well a brilliant Ramalho long-range pass before slotting home from close range. LASK had a chance to reduce the deficit three minutes later when they were awarded a penalty but only for a debutant in goal, Nico Mantl, to pull off a great save to keep out Eggestein’s spot-kick.
Two minutes later, A misplaced pass by a LASK defender put Patson Daka free on goal with only the keeper to beat the Zambian forward unselfishly rolled it across for Karim Adeyemi to tap in his second and Salzburg’s fifth of the evening.
Dominik Reiter scored a free header in the 84th to make it 5-2 at full-time as LASK dropped down to fourth while Salzburg made it three wins in a row.
Daka was withdrawn in the 84th minute for Berisha while Mwepu made way for American winger Brenden Aaronson in the 73rd minute.
Daka has now scored 27 league goals and 34 in all competitions with 12 assists in 27 league appearances and 41 in all competitions.
PASCHING,AUSTRIA,16.MAY.21 – SOCCER – tipico Bundesliga, championship group, Linzer ASK vs Red Bull Salzburg. Image shows the rejoicing of Enock Mwepu, Karim Adeyemi, and Patson Daka (RBS). Photo: GEPA pictures/ Jasmin Walter – For editorial use only. Image is free of charge.