alan at the double as salzburg see off esbjerg published: thursday 3 october 2013, 23.16cet
esbjerg fb 1-2 fc salzburg
alan scored twice to help roger schmidt's visitors build a three-point lead at the top of group c with a convincing victory over esbjerg fb.
fc salzburg kept up their 100% start to group c as two goals from alan earned roger schmidt's side a 2-1 victory over esbjerg fb in denmark.
the austrian bundesliga leaders were quick out the blocks, and took just six minutes to open the scoring after alan rounded frederik rønnow to slot the ball into the empty net. the brazilian got the better of the esbjerg keeper nine minutes before the break to double the visitors' lead, scoring on the rebound after his initial shot was saved. pape paté diouf pulled a goal back in the 89th minute to set up a nervous finish, but it proved a mere consolation.
jonatan soriano, who scored a hat-trick for salzburg against if elfsborg on matchday one, turned provider for alan on the west coast of denmark, playing the precise reverse pass that led to the opener. the goal sparked esbjerg to life, and jakob ankersen tested péter gulácsi with a cross-shot on 12 minutes.
the austrian side gradually took control, and were rewarded for their dominance on 38 minutes. alan's second strike was a similar one to his first, and the visitors could have scored more before the break, with sadio mané and kevin kampl going close.
esbjerg were transformed in the second half with the danish side utilising the long throwing talents of jonas knudsen. on 50 minutes the defender launched a ball in to hans henrik andreasen, who headed over unmarked. substitute diouf gave his side hope in the closing stages, but salzburg closed out the game to seal victory.
