I ask Simon Rohofer of the Austrian website laola1.at what Oskar Gluch looks like on the progress graph compared to other Red Bull Salzburg talents. "Haaland is not serious to talk about... Say Soboselai" (the excellent Hungarian playmaker who plays for Leipzig). "Oscar is much more suited to the Rangniki footballers who play here. Very direct in his thinking ahead, thinking fast." And we also saw this in front of Rapid Vienna.
They like to laugh at the Israeli media, which always insists that the Israeli Legionnaire "started the move," but in Salzburg's two goals on Sunday, Oskar Gluch started the move. In the 18th minute, he cuts through the defence with a ball to Argentine Niklas Capaldo who cooks for Mali's Lasko Kouita, but it was the simple action for the second goal in the 62nd minute that illustrated how quickly he assimilated into the system. With one touch of rescue and delivery, he puts Dijon Kamari in a position to cook up a second goal.
Red Bull Salzburg and the entire Red Bull octopus are the brainchild of Ralf Rangnick, now manager of the Austrian national team after a poor spell at Manchester United. He is the one who turned Red Bull Salzburg into one of the best player producers in the world since 2014. In the last decade it has sent players to Bayern, Dortmund, the two teams of Manchester, Liverpool and a total of 7 Premier League teams and 8 Bundesliga teams.
How do you do it from a league that really isn't the strongest? Part of that is an amazing scouting system. Koita, for example, is just one of 4-5 players from Mali where Salzburg specializes in recruitment, but mostly a football vision. Rangnick said: "Most goals in football are achieved within 10 seconds of getting the ball" and all the players of the clubs he is associated with are responsible for this: to strike as soon as the ball is reached.
Salzburg players celebrate with the crowd, photo: Salzburg, official site
When the Rapid goalkeeper saves a great Gluch kick into the high corner, it looked like we would get some blue and white fireworks. But football is fickle. A penalty and a goal for Vienna and a red for Lackfeldo and manager Mathias Yissele admits that the triple substitution - which included Gluch - was committed.
"You know what the pressure is on Oscar? We expect him to become the player of our football generation," says Ropphofer. "He has in his legs a talent that few have. He's progressing here and working hard, but there's always room to improve. But if I can ask for something, don't put too much pressure on it in Israel. Let it grow. He comes from a club that played different football and learns quickly."
Manchester City vs Arsenal might also be taking place today, but there's only one game where Oscar Gloukh is playing.
Make the right decision 👍 pic.twitter.com/2XTof6Kno4
— FC Red Bull Salzburg EN (@FCRBS_en) April 26, 2023
Red Bull is not as hated as it used to be
"I'm very pleased with my decision to sign for Salzburg," Gluch said. "I live with my uncle, we acclimatized well and I have friends here. This is a group that believes in integrating young people and preparing them for bigger clubs."
And what's changed the most about you so far?
"Hard work on defense"
Red Bull doesn't "believe in integrating young people". These clichés are recited by everyone. She just doesn't do anything else. Rangnick stated that the players signed would usually be on their second professional contract. The matter of Gloch's age is completely irrelevant. His offensive teammates Shesko and the entire bench except one—all under twenty years old.
Outside the stadium, Red Bull cans are sipping at an appalling rate and I ask Marco and Nichols, local fans, if Salzburg is hated by the Austrian crowd like its German sister Leipzig in its own country. "To a large extent, yes. Many of the old Salzburg fans moved to support Austria Salzburg in the third division. They hate what the Red Bull corporation does. Don't forget this is Austria! To many people, the word "modern" means "idiot," says Marco.
Rangnick. Changed the face of Salzburg, Photo: AP
That has changed a bit since 2014. "Until then it was a pensioners' club for veterans of the German Bundesliga. At least since 2014, we have seen the vision. You see how it lifts Austrian football as a whole," he adds. But as in football, most fans in Austria, 70% according to a poll, now want a tenth consecutive championship. Why? The much-maligned offset began in Austria six years ago, but if in Israel at the time it exploded in everyone's face within a season in Austria only in the sixth season, it could lead to an offset champion.
"Do you remember the worker's offset championship?" I ask Gloch. "No, voila I didn't know about it."
And how much does it bother you here?
"Here's the situation. It's weird. We will cope."
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