five-star salzburg ease past astra published: thursday 11 december 2014, 21.13cet fc salzburg 5-1 fc astra giurgiu alan and kevin kampl scored twice to ensure the hosts finished group d unbeaten, while george florescu scored a superb volley for astra.
• group winners salzburg finish unbeaten with 16 points • alan scores twice to take his tally to eight goals in six matches • hosts finish group stage with 21 goals • astra finish bottom group d despite george florescu wonder goal • round of 32 draw takes place in nyon at 13.00cet on 15 december
fc salzburg produced a superb display to beat fc astra giurgiu and finish unbeaten at the top of uefa europa league group d, with the visitors scoring a brilliant consolation through george florescu.
the home side were already assured of finishing at the summit of the section and left jonatan soriano – the top goalscorer in last season's competition – on the bench.
however, the austrian side proved to have more than enough firepower to defeat their romanian opponents, with goals from marcel sabitzer and two each from kevin kampl and alan, who has now matched soriano's tally of eight strikes from last season.
ıt proved a difficult match for astra goalkeeper silviu lung, who made a series of outstanding saves to limit salzburg to five goals, denying alan a good chance before sabitzer tapped in from kampl's back-heeled pass on nine minutes.
slovenian playmaker kampl was orchestrating the midfield and got on the scoresheet himself when another fine salzburg move allowed him to curl in off the bar from just inside the area with 34 minutes gone.
a minute into the second half kampl provided another assist, as he hoisted a pass to the back post, leaving brazilian striker alan to finish with his chest from close range. astra had been unable to offer much of an attacking threat, but florescu then conjured a moment of magic on 51 minutes as he took a touch before volleying in off the bar from long range.
alan was not finished and defender peter ankersen headed a pass into his path that he finished with his own head. then, in added time, substitute soriano crossed for kampl to notch up his team's 21st goal of the group stage.
