Match Preview: Real Madrid vs Red Bull Salzburg (Champions League)
Published:
Match Preview: Real Madrid vs Red Bull Salzburg
Date: January 22, 2025
Time: 20:00 CET
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Match Context
Real Madrid hosts Salzburg in a UEFA Champions League clash that sees both teams striving for contrasting objectives. Real Madrid, despite an uneven campaign in Europe, aims to finish the group phase on a high note. Meanwhile, Salzburg looks to salvage pride in their final group match after a challenging tournament.
Head-to-Head Record
This is the first competitive meeting between Real Madrid and Salzburg.
Real Madrid vs Austrian Teams
Total Matches: 23
- Wins: 13
- Draws: 6
- Losses: 4
Home Record: 10W, 1D, 1L
Real Madrid last faced Austrian opposition in 1998, securing a dominant 6-1 victory over Sturm Graz.
Salzburg vs Spanish Teams
Total Matches: 22
- Wins: 5
- Draws: 4
- Losses: 13
Away Record: 1W, 4D, 6L
One Football Fact is that this is Salzburg's only away win against a Spanish side came against Villarreal in 2009.
Form Guide
Real Madrid
Recent Matches:
- W - 4-1 vs Las Palmas (La Liga, Jan 19)
- W 5-2 vs Celta Vigo (Copa del Rey, Jan 16)
- L 2-5 vs Barcelona (Supercopa Final, Jan 12)
- W 3-0 vs Mallorca (Supercopa Semi-final, Jan 9)
- W 5-0 vs Club Deportiva Minera (Copa del Rey, Jan 6)
Madrid has rebounded from their Supercopa defeat with emphatic Copa del Rey and La Liga win, displaying their attacking depth by scoring 32 goals in their last 10 matches across all competitions.
Red Bull Salzburg
Recent Matches:
- L 2-3 vs Midtjylland (Friendly, Jan 15)
- L 0-6 vs Bayern Munich (Friendly, Jan 6)
- W 3-0 vs Klagenfurt (Austrian Bundesliga, Dec 14)
- L 0-3 vs PSG (UCL, Dec 10)
- D 2-2 vs SK Rapid (Austrian Bundesliga, Dec 7)
Despite showing flashes of quality in domestic competition, Salzburg’s European campaign has been marked by struggles, conceding heavily against elite teams like PSG and Bayern.
Injury News
Real Madrid
- Dani Carvajal: Cruciate ligament injury.
- Éder Militão: Cruciate ligament injury.
- Eduardo Camavinga: Arm injury, unlikely to feature.
- David Alaba: Lack of fitness unlikely to feature
Salzburg
- Maurits Kjærgaard: Ankle injury, ruled out for the season.
- Karim Konaté: Cruciate ligament injury, sidelined indefinitely.
- Samson Tijani: Unknown injury, doubtful
Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin
- Defenders: Lucas Vázquez, Antonio Rüdiger, Raúl Asencio, Fernand Mendy
- Midfielders: Luka Modrić (C), Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham
- Forwards: Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo
Key Player: Kylian Mbappé – With 18 goals this season, his explosive pace and clinical finishing will be pivotal.
Salzburg (4-4-2)
- Goalkeeper: Janis Blaswich
- Defenders: Amar Dedic, Samson Baidoo, Kamil Piakowski, Aleksa Terzić
- Midfielders: Moussa Yeo, Nicolás Capaldo, Mads Bidstrup, Bobby Clark
- Forwards: Adam Daghim, Oscar Gloukh
Key Player: Oscar Gloukh – His creativity and eye for goal offer Salzburg’s best chance to unsettle Madrid.
Tactical Analysis
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti will likely stick with a possession-heavy style, using Modrić to dictate tempo. With Vinícius and Mbappé stretching Salzburg’s defence, Madrid will look to capitalise on wide overloads and quick interchanges.
Salzburg
Thomas Letsch’s Salzburg will rely on a compact defensive setup and quick transitions. Gloukh and Daghim’s mobility up front could trouble Madrid if Salzburg wins the midfield battle.
What's at Stake?
- Real Madrid: With qualification secured, Madrid will aim to end the group stage on a high and maintain momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
- Salzburg: Already eliminated, Salzburg plays for pride and the chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Match Prediction
Madrid’s superior quality, depth, and home advantage make them overwhelming favourites. While Salzburg may threaten on the counter, the Spanish giants’ firepower should prove decisive.
Predicted Scoreline: Real Madrid 3-0 Salzburg
Fun Facts
- Madrid’s Fortress: Real Madrid have lost only one of their last 12 European home games.
- Salzburg’s Challenge: This will be Salzburg’s first-ever match at the Santiago Bernabéu.
- Mbappé vs Austrian Sides: Kylian Mbappé has scored in all three of his previous games against Austrian clubs.
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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.
