October 1, 2024. 19:45. Salzburg. Red Bull Arena.
Champions League. Group Stage. Matchday 2
“Salzburg” (Austria) vs “Brest” (France)
Where to Watch: RAINBOW
Injuries: Kjærgaard, Gwindo, Kavaruma, Terzić (?), Baidu (?) – Loko, Dari, Les Melou, Le Cardinal (?)
The second matchday of the Champions League group stage kicks off this Tuesday, with one of the highlights being Salzburg’s clash against Brest. The hosts will be eager to improve their standing after suffering a defeat in Prague, while the visitors will look to build on their successful debut in the tournament, facing their second consecutive Austrian opponent.
“Salzburg”
Salzburg experienced a disappointing start to the revamped Champions League, suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat away to Sparta, conceding all the goals in the opening hour of the match. Despite dominating possession with a staggering 71%, one of the highest percentages for the Austrian team in this tournament, the Bulls managed only one shot on target, a statistic that ultimately defined the outcome.
This result against an opponent that had been absent from the elite European competition for a lengthy period is undoubtedly a major setback. Salzburg is participating in UEFA’s premier club tournament for the sixth consecutive year, but their performances in recent seasons have been far from successful. Currently, they are on a six-match winless streak, having lost five of those fixtures, the longest such sequence in their Champions League history. Additionally, the Bulls have lost their last four home matches in the group stage, a stark contrast to their prior record of being unbeaten in six consecutive games at the Red Bull Arena.
In domestic league play, Salzburg has also faced challenges. Last season, they failed to secure the home title for the first time in a decade. In the current campaign, under the stewardship of Leinders, they sit fourth, trailing leaders Sturm by three points, albeit with two matches in hand that could see them ascend to the top of the table. After four matches without a win, beginning with a draw against Dinamo Kyiv in the playoff qualifying round, Salzburg finally found form in their last two outings, first thrashing Vienna’s Viktoria 4-0 in the cup and then claiming a 2-0 victory over Austria in the league, with both goals scored by Glukh. The Bulls hope to extend their newfound momentum into the Champions League.
“Brest”
Brest’s first-ever match in European competition comes at the prestigious group stage of the Champions League, made possible by a remarkable previous season where RUA’s side finished third in Ligue 1. The success was so unexpected that they had to debut in the Champions League at “Ruduru” in neighboring Hangu, as Brest’s home ground is not yet suitable for matches of this caliber.
Thanks to the scheduling, the Pirates faced a manageable opponent in their opening match. Sturm, who themselves had not played in the Champions League for a long time, were defeated by goals from Magnetti and Sima in both halves, making Brest’s debut unforgettable, despite an own goal from Edmilson that did not dampen their spirits – final score 2-1. Now, RUA’s team aims to become only the second French side in history to start their European campaign with two victories.
While Salzburg may not be classified among European giants, Brest will still face a tough task in securing another three points. The Pirates, under RUA’s guidance, have encountered difficulties early in the new season due to a more congested fixture list. While they managed a league win following the victory over Sturm, beating Toulouse 2-0, last Friday saw them routed 3-0 by newly promoted Auxerre. Overall, Brest has only six points from six matches and sits 13th in the standings. Moreover, they have yet to earn a point away from home, suffering three defeats with an aggregate score of 1-8.
“Salzburg” vs “Brest”: Predicted Line-ups
Salzburg will be missing Kjærgaard, Gwindo, and Kavaruma due to injury, with Terzić and Baidu also doubtful. The guests will be without Loko, Dari, and Les Melou, while Le Cardinal may miss the match due to illness.
“Salzburg” vs “Brest”: Author’s Prediction
For Salzburg to have any hope of progressing to the knockout stages, they can ill afford to drop points against opponents like Brest. Experience and the advantage of playing at home should serve the Austrian team well, and I expect a confident victory for them in this match.
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