Salzburg vs Ajax

A handsomely-looking pre-season friendly at the SaalfeldenArena pits perennial Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg against the most decorated Dutch side Ajax.

Defending Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg dismantled lower-league outfit Fugen 3-0 in the opening Austrian Cup round a few days ago, arresting an underwhelming run of consecutive 2-1 defeats in pre-season friendlies. The Austrian giants have blown hot and cold during this off-season tour, as none of their five summer friendlies have ended as a draw (W3, L2). High scoring has been a common theme in that period, though, with all five fixtures seeing over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring. Another ‘goal-friendly’ contest is definitely on the cards, as Salzburg’s last three meetings with Ajax have featured 3+ total goals, including a thumping 4-1 reverse in their most recent pre-season friendly in August 2020.

In the meantime, reigning Eredivisie holders Ajax have delivered a mixed bag of performances under new manager Alfred Schreuder this summer, racking up two wins across four pre-season friendlies (D1, L1). After a trophy-laden managerial tenure of Erik ten Hag, the ‘Lancers’ have a point to prove, and a brace of 3-0 summer triumphs over Meppen and Lokomotiva Zagreb looks promising. Yet, Ajax’s most recent fixture outside Amsterdam did not end well for the Dutch juggernauts. Indeed, they suffered an embarrassing 5-2 defeat to German second-tier side Paderborn despite leading 2-1 at half-time, conceding four times beyond the hour mark.