Real Madrid have been fruitful since losing the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona, defeating Celta Vigo 5-2 in the Copa del Rey and Las Palmas 4-1 in La Liga. They could benefit from transferring that form into the UEFA Champions League (UCL) though, as the reigning champions have got work to do to secure their place in the knockout stage following a mixed season so far (W3, L3).
Loss to AC Milan in November was their first European defeat at the Bernabéu since April 2022, but Los Blancos haven’t lost consecutive UCL home games in the same season since 2018/19. You have to go back to 1998/99 for the last time they hosted an Austrian team, hammering Sturm Graz 6-1, and given their recent goalscoring achievements, a similar result against Salzburg can’t be dismissed.
While the guests (W1, L5) can still advance to the knockout stage, they are confronting the possibility of their European season being over before the Austrian league competition resumes after the winter pause. At least they’ll be rejuvenated for this first-ever encounter with Madrid and Thomas Letsch’s first match in command, as he replaced Pep Lijnders last month.
He’ll be wishing for better outcomes than his predecessor, as all five of those losses saw Salzburg fail to score and concede at least twice, although they’ve lost just two of their last six UCL away encounters (W2, D2). That might not aid much here considering the Red Bulls’ distinctly unimpressive record in Spain, where they’ve only won one of their 11 prior games (D4, L6).
Players to observe: Vinícius Júnior didn’t face Las Palmas on Sunday due to suspension, so will be eager to add to his UCL tally of five goals this season, four of which came after the 55th minute. Oscar Gloukh has scored between the 35th and 40th minute inclusive in two of Salzburg’s last four games, with all four of his club goalscoring appearances this term ending in triumph.
Hot statistic: Salzburg are yet to score before first-half stoppage time in the UCL group phase this season.
