Real Madrid is set to host Red Bull Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday night in a crucial Champions League encounter. After a turbulent start to their campaign, the defending champions will look to secure a win to solidify their place in the playoffs.
Real Madrid’s Path to Redemption
Carlo Ancelotti's men are under pressure after a challenging first half of the Champions League group stage. A crucial win away to Atalanta in the previous matchday helped them stay in contention, but they can’t afford to drop points against Salzburg. Currently sitting with nine points from six matches, Real Madrid needs a victory to edge closer to the top 24, a vital step toward advancing to the knockout rounds.
Real Madrid’s Recent Form
Despite a shaky start in Europe, Real Madrid’s domestic form has been impressive. After a loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, Los Blancos bounced back with a 5-2 victory over Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey, and their 4-1 win against Las Palmas propelled them to the top of La Liga. Their current seven-point lead over Barcelona has bolstered their morale, and they’ll be hoping to extend their 32-match streak of scoring in home Champions League games.
Salzburg’s Struggles in Europe
Salzburg, meanwhile, has had a dismal Champions League campaign and are on the brink of elimination. After losing several matches by heavy margins, they find themselves without a manager, with Thomas Letsch taking over from Pep Lijnders. Their last domestic match saw a 3-0 victory against Klagenfurt, but their international form, including losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Bayer Leverkusen, has been a cause for concern.
Team News and Injury Updates
Real Madrid will be without Lucas Vazquez due to suspension, and Dani Carvajal is also sidelined with injury. Federico Valverde could fill in at right-back, with Aurelien Tchouameni another option, though he's a doubt for this match. Vinicius Junior and Luka Modric are set to return after serving suspensions, while Eduardo Camavinga remains a doubt due to injury.
Salzburg will be missing key players like Karim Konate and Maurits Kjaergaard due to long-term injuries. Alexander Schlager, Bobby Clark, Amar Dedic, and Daouda Guindo are also doubtful for this match after missing recent friendlies. Salzburg’s squad is further weakened by the absence of striker Fernando, who was sold to Bragantino.
Key Players to Watch
For Real Madrid, all eyes will be on Jude Bellingham, who has been in exceptional form this season, along with Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior. Modric and Ceballos will be crucial in midfield to dominate possession and create chances.
Salzburg’s hope lies in forward Karim Onisiwo, although he won’t feature in this match. The team will need strong performances from their defenders and midfielders to withstand Real Madrid’s attacking threats.
Prediction: Real Madrid 4-0 Red Bull Salzburg
Real Madrid is the overwhelming favorite for this match, and despite their earlier struggles, they should have little difficulty securing all three points against a Salzburg side low on confidence. With their home advantage and quality squad, a dominant performance is expected, and they’ll look to put breathing space between themselves and the teams chasing the top 24 positions.
