Pep Lijnders has lauded Sheffield Wednesday following their pre-season friendly, where his RB Salzburg side triumphed 4-0. Despite the defeat, the Owls impressed against the Champions League team during their second training camp in Germany and Austria, with their first friendly taking place at the Red Bull Arena.

Lijnders, who previously served as Jurgen Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool, took the helm at RB Salzburg at the end of the season and has already secured three victories in four friendlies this summer. While Salzburg’s win was decisive, Lijnders was quick to commend Wednesday and predicted they would avoid relegation in the upcoming season.

Speaking to The Star, Lijnders stated, “When we analyzed them, it was crucial to understand their background. We recognized that to play well, we had to respect their strategy. They had strong points like their double six formation and their effective counter-attacks. Despite not having many corners, they were strategic in their play. If they continue like this, they won’t be battling relegation at the end of the season.”

Lijnders’ praise should boost Sheffield Wednesday’s confidence. The match marked only their second friendly of the summer, while it was Salzburg’s fourth. Although the Owls were not expected to compete equally with the Austrian giants, Lijnders acknowledged their potential and competitive spirit, which is an encouraging sign.

Having worked with top talent at Liverpool and now at a prominent European club, Lijnders’ positive feedback holds significant weight. Sheffield Wednesday’s primary goal in pre-season isn’t to win every game but to demonstrate progress and receive constructive feedback. Praise from seasoned professionals like Lijnders indicates that manager Danny Rohl is on the right track.