Albion show set-piece threat in win over Strasbourg

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Albion came from 2-0 down to beat Strasbourg 4-3 on Saturday.

2026-08-01T13:25+01:00

Olivier Boscagli celebrates with Pascal Gross after making it 2-2 from the German's free kick. 📷 James Boardman

Albion scored all their goals from set pieces as they came from 2-0 down to beat Strasbourg 4-3 in a friendly in Vienna at the end of a successful week-long training camp.

The French side were two up inside 14 minutes before Pascal Gross converted a twice-taken penalty and laid on an equaliser for Olivier Boscagli from a free kick.

A corner headed in by substitute Eiran Cashin early in the second half completed the turnaround.

An additional 30 minutes at the end of the 90 was played to give players more game time and Ibrahim Osman scored Albion's second penalty after he was brought down to make it 4-2. Strasbourg got a late third but Albion were worthy winners.

Jack Hinshelwood heads across goal to create a moment of danger. 📷James Boardman

Albion had found themselves 2-0 down after Strasbourg, who finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season, scored through Martial Godo and Samuel Amo-Ameyaw, whose cross created the second goal after a darting run down the right.

Albion got back in it with two goals in six minutes.

Olivier Boscagli scored Albion's equaliser with a smart finish from the edge of the box. 📷 James Boardman

In the 24th minute Mats Wieffer was brought down in the box trying to control a cross and skipper for the day Gross converted a penalty at the second attempt, after the referee ruled there had been an infringement.

Gross was involved again in the equaliser. Yankuba Minteh was brought down on the edge of the box for a free-kick which Gross rolled to Boscagli to sweep left-footed into the roof of the net, giving keeper Milosz Piekutowski no chance.

Pascal Gross made it 2-1 with a twice-taken penalty. 📷 James Boardman

Fabian Hurzeler has asked for more from his players in terms of set-pieces so he would have been pleased when they went in front from a corner two minutes into the second half. Boscagli took it and Cashin headed the ball in from close range, though there may have been a Strasbourg touch on its way over the line.

Bart Verbruggen made a fine save to keep out Godo’s strike before three of the Albion subs combined to create a chance for Cashin. Once again Albion’s threat came from a set piece. Georginio Rutter was fouled, Facundo Buonanotte chipped the free kick from the left-hand edge of the box to the far post and Charlie Tasker headed it back across goal but Cashin couldn’t keep his close-range header on target.

Pascal Gross threatens the Strasbourg defence. 📷James Boardman

Rutter twice went close to increasing Albion’s advantage before playing in Osman, but a combination of goalkeeper and defender meant he couldn’t get a shot away. At the other end Verbruggen held on when Kingsley Olufade tried to beat him at his near post before Buonanotte was denied.

Onto the additional half hour and when Osman, whose pace and trickery caused Strasbourg lots of problems, was sent flying in the box he took the responsibility to roll the ball into the corner for Albion's fourth goal. Ghianny Kodia headed a third Strasbourg goal from close range four minutes from the end but Albion saw the game out comfortably.