Seven points from three games. Red Bull Salzburg is already very close to making it into the Champions League round of 16 for the first time. With mature offensive football, Austria’s series champions clearly defeated VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 on Wednesday and are now also in the premier class where they have been nationally for years: at the top of the table. Euphoria spreads. In addition, a million rain is now beckoning.
Because an ascent would be remunerated with an additional 9.6 million euros, and the Salzburg team has already earned 6.53 million point bonuses in the group. The next game will be against Wolfsburg on Tuesday in two weeks – away from the Autostadt. And if no wonder happens by then, the VW factory club will also be within reach abroad.
Only six clubs had seven points or more at halftime in the group last season – and all six made it to the knockout round afterwards.
If Salzburg also succeeds, Sturm Graz would lose its special national position. So far, only the Styrians have managed the feat of surviving the group stage in the elite league and still being represented in the spring. Ivica Vastic and Co. became group winners in autumn 2000.