Soccer (Football)
This TV show has the inside story on how Red Bull Salzburg hit the big time
Red Bull Salzburg have been one of the surprise packages of this season’s Champions League and new documentary JEDER.MANN – This is Salzburg tells the story of one of Europe’s most talked about clubs.
From winning their first ever match in the competition 6-2 over Genk to coming back from three goals down to scare Liverpool at Anfield, Red Bull Salzburg consistently punched above their weight during their Champions League run.
On December 10, the 13-time Austrian Bundesliga winners hosted Liverpool again in the final match of the group stage, with hopes of still qualifying for the knockout part of the competition for the first time.
Playing with the same verve and quality that's earned them so many plaudits, Red Bull Salzburg matched the defending European champions for large parts of the decisive winner-takes-all match. However, two quick goals sealed a 0–2 victory and the place in the knockout stages for Liverpool, leaving the home team beaten but unbowed and having won many new fans thanks to a series of eye-catching performances against world class opposition.
In the eight-part show JEDER.MANN – This is Salzburg, we see how American coach Jesse Marsch rallied the Red Bull Salzburg team, including star striker Erling Haaland, to battle with the heavyweights of European football.
Here are seven things you'll see in the documentary, now available on Red Bull TV.
1. Manager Marsch is a maverick
At the heart of the story is Marsch, a bilingual American who was snapped up by the club in June following the departure of his predecessor Marco Rose to Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Marsch had previously been assistant coach to the United States football team at the 2010 World Cup as well as coaching New York Red Bulls and last season acting as assistant at Red Bull Leipzig.
The father of three pushes a different philosophy in the team from many of his peers in European football management, driven less by the end scoreline in a results-driven business. As he puts it: “We always talk about solidarity, attitude, tenacity how you feel in a good team. That’s probably even more important than the results.”
2. A dream tie with Liverpool wasn't over overawing
The team gather at their training headquarters to watch the live Champions League draw, which ends up with defending champions Liverpool being drawn in their group.
For former player turned sporting director Christoph Freund it is “the highlight”. He adds: “This is the dream. With Sadio Mane and Naby Keïta [former Red Bull Salzburg players], that’s a cool story.”
The first match didn’t disappoint with Liverpool eventually running out 4-3 winners after an almighty tussle. What will November 10 bring?
3. Meet the superstar striker who just loves scoring goals
Erling Haaland was previously best known as the son of Alf-Inge Haaland, a former Norwegian international who played for English teams Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Manchester City.
But his 19-year-old son has become one of the most sought-after talents in world football after scoring eight Champions League goals so far this season, leaving him behind only Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski.
Haaland says: “I love to score goals, it’s the best thing I can do. My dad inspires me and I want to be better than him. It’s a long way but I think it’s possible. This is the start.”
Hee Chan Hwang suited and booted
© Markus Berger / Red Bull Content Pool
Erling Haaland celebrates against Genk
© Markus Berger/Red Bull Salzburg
Haaland and team-mates in the Champions League dressing room
© Markus Berger/Red Bull Content Pool
Haaland is one of Europe's most in-form strikers
© Getty
4. The club is rock solid both on and off the pitch
Red Bull Salzburg are a business savvy club having earned some €200million in selling players over the past four seasons while still seemingly able to improve in the aftermath of big names leaving. Only four clubs in that time have made more money globally in transferring players than Salzburg.
5. The Champions League run was 13 years in the making
Over the course of 13 years, the club had 11 different chances to qualify for the main draw of the Champions League but repeatedly suffered agonising defeats.
For the 2019–20 campaign, they were ensured of avoiding such agonies. Their climb up the UEFA club rankings ensuring automatic qualification prior to the draw for the group stages in Monaco.
6. All about the 'gegenpressing'
Salzburg’s philosophy on the field has been one of evolution rather than revolution under Marsch, with the team still pursuing and fine-tuning a high-press and intense brand of football.
Marsch likes the catchphrase “empty the tank” come match day, and repeatedly reassures his players that they're “playing intensive and fast, we’re more athletic, we’re stronger” than any opponent whatever their calibre. The tactic has been dubbed 'gegenpressing', and it's been popularised by Jürgen Klopp’s Champions League-winning exploits at Liverpool.
"I couldn't have more respect for what Salzburg is doing," said Klopp after his side’s hard-fought win at the Red Bull Arena in December.
"I know how people see it – you think being the best team in Austria is 'OK'. Then you see how good they are, how good they were in the first game, how good they were against Napoli and Genk and then you could come here as the current Champions League winner and misunderstand that situation.
"And I love it, I really love it that my team is so smart that they listen and they put in a shift in like that. Salzburg was unbelievably strong, especially in the first half, but we as well were ready for that fight."
7. The rivalry with Vienna is real
It becomes clear from the outset that the rivalry with Rapid Vienna, historically a giant of Austrian football, is real.
Ahead of the opening game of the season in the capital, the players walk out to aggressive chants while midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic explains: “You’re being insulted in the worst way possible and it motivates you to play.”
Watch the first episode here:
14 min
13 weeks
As players leave FC Red Bull Salzburg new players rise up, but the press are skeptical about the squad.