Great start: Salzburg is facing an explosive Champions League dress rehearsal
The biggest game in the club’s history so far is coming up for FC Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday. Before that, the Mozart city-dwellers will have to deal with “favorite opponent” Rapid in the league on Friday.
Karim Adeyemi is fit again.
FC Red Bull Salzburg via Getty Images
Before the first Champions League round of 16 game in the club’s history against FC Bayern Munich is due for Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday, the Austrian league leaders will face Rapid Wien on Friday for the spring start of the league. The Mozart city-dwellers did not comply with the Green-Whites’ request to postpone the game in view of the falling capacity limit on Saturday for reasons of preparation for the premier class duel. Instead of 28,600 spectators, only 2,000 fans will be in Vienna-Hütteldorf on Friday.
Certainly not a disadvantage for Matthias Jaissle’s team, who is still fully focused on the upcoming task in the Bundesliga despite the expected encounter against Bayern. “We know how important this party is – especially for our fans – and we will do everything we can to ensure that they are happy after the game,” explained the German at the club website.
Last loss against Rapid three years ago
The omens for Salzburg are good, as they have been unbeaten in nine league games against Rapid. The last defeat for the Austrian series champion to date was almost exactly three years ago in a 0-2 defeat in the federal capital. In addition, thanks to the 3-1 cup success in contrast to Rapid (1-2 against Hartberg), the Jaissle team gained self-confidence last week. “With the games against LASK, Rapid, Bayern and WAC we have to play against a lot of tough opponents. Now it was important that we got off to a good start with the cup success,” said midfielder Nicolas Capaldo.
Jaissle looked forward to the game in a similar way, although he didn’t attribute much importance to the Viennese’s exit from the cup: “Even if Rapid is now out of the cup: the team has stabilized significantly in the fall and from the last nine games in the league only one lost. We have also been warned and know that we need a top performance again.”
Adeyemi ready for action again
Goalscorer Karim Adeyemi should also contribute to an away win. The 20-year-old was still missing against LASK due to tonsillitis, but was fit early for the hit against Rapid. Zlatko Junuzovic (heel), Benjamin Sesko (torn thigh muscle), Bernardo, Sekou Koita, Bryan Okoh, Junior Adamu and Nicolas Seiwald (all knees) will be absent.
At least Seiwald has been back in team training for a short time, but Capaldo will be used again on Friday – and the Argentine wants to continue the good performance against LASK: “A win at Rapid would not only help us in the table, but also give us self-confidence A lot has changed for the Viennese compared to autumn, we also have to be prepared for another team that will demand everything from us.”
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