Express & Star

Red Bull Salzburg 3 Albion 1 - match report and pictures

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Albion made a losing start to their pre-season programme as they went down 3-1 to Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg in the Alps.

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Marco Djuricin, Jonatan Soriano and Takumi Minamino scored for the Austrians with teenager Adil Nabi replying for the Baggies.

Boaz Myhill made a low save early on to keep out a drive from Red Bull's Jonatan Soriano and Christoph Leitgeb drew another save from the Baggies keeper shortly afterwards.

Soriano and Valon Berisha went close for the Austrian side before Myhill made a point-blank save to deny Djuricin.

But Djuricin fired Red Bull in front on 33 minutes, sneaking a shot inside Myhill's left-hand post from 20 yards.

It was 2-0 to the Austrians just six minutes later when Soriano got on the scoresheet.

He burst into the box and beat Myhill from 10 yards.

Callum McManaman tried his luck for Albion two minutes before half-time with a 20-yard shot that was parried by goalkeeper Cican Stankovic before Havard Nielsen drew another good save from Myhill.

On the stroke of half-time Craig Gardner went close for Albion with a powerful drive that went just wide.

Both sides rang the changes at half-time with Red Bull switching all 11 players and Albion introducing a host of teenagers.

The Austrian champions hit the side netting through Smail Prevljak early in the second half and then extended their lead on 65 minutes when Takumi Minamino beat keeper Jack Rose from 25 yards.

But two minutes later Albion got on the scoresheet when Nabi scored from close range after his initial effort was parried.

Late on Sebastien Pocognoli fired a free-kick just over from 30 yards.