Football Season Guide

Despite a remarkable top-six finish last season, they ended the season somewhat disappointingly. Despite finishing fifth in the Championship Group, they lost a play-off against Austria Vienna and thus will not play in Europe this season, which was a big disappointment. They deserved more than that, based on the campaign that they had. They're likely to struggle more this season. They lost consistent winger Frieser to Grazer AK, which was a surprising and sobering reminder of their place in the Austrian football hierarchy. The spine of their team was ripped out too with star striker Entrup joining LASK, midfielder Sangare's loan ending (before he joined Rapid Vienna), and impressive CB Bowat also departing. Again, they've not had much money to play with so recruitment hasn't gone swimmingly. That said, CB Mateo Karamatic, formerly of the Red Bull Salzburg academy, has joined to replace Bowat and he's a very good player. Clearly impressed at how they've put their players in the shop window, Red Bull Salzburg also saw fit to loan another midfielder to them this season - Omoregie. He's very capable. Going back to their CB position, though - there's talk of Cremonese interest in Komposch, which would leave them horribly short of CB options if it came to pass. Most of their transfer activity has centred around the loaning of young players though, which points toward a short-term solution rather than a long-term plan. Given how clearly the club is that their stadium may not be advanced enough to secure them a license for next season, that's not quite so surprising. Out of the loanees, Schwarz, Diarra, and Omoregie should hit the ground running. Karner and Osborne may follow suit. The biggest curiosity is who will start in goal. It was Sallinger last season but it's well-documented in Austria that Maric only left Sturm Graz for first-team football. The club's scattergun approach to the season ahead suggests there's no real plan. They won most games last season by outscoring rather than outsmarting teams. Without Sangare and Entrup, that is going to be hard to emulate. Unless Avdijaj and Prokop carry them and they start strongly, this could be a disappointing campaign. The group lacks cohesion, experienced heads, and a proven finisher. They may have brought in talented youngsters but whether they realise their potential at the club or not is a coin toss.