Bayern host Salzburg with knockout stage in sight

FC Bayern can book their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League on Wednesday when they host Red Bull Salzburg at the Allianz Arena on Matchday 4 of Group A (kick-off at 9pm CET, coverage through our live text commentary and free web radio).

Situation for Bayern

Will FCB continue their remarkable Champions League winning run? The holders have won each of their last 14 games in the competition, which is a new record. A 15th successive victory on Wednesday against Salzburg would see the champions through to the round of 16 with two games to spare. It would be the club’s 13th straight year in the knockout phase of the competition. Hansi Flick’s side currently sit top of Group A on nine points, ahead of Atletico Madrid (4), Lokomotiv Moscow (2) and Salzburg (1). FCB’s run of 10 consecutive wins in all competitions came to an end at the weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Werder Bremen.

Check out the best photos from Tuesday’s final preparations for the Salzburg clash:

The opponent

After an opening 2-2 draw at home to Lokomotiv, Salzburg have lost their other two group games away at Atletico (3-2) and at home to Bayern (6-2). It leaves RB bottom of Group A on just one point and means the Austrians need to claim something from their visit to Munich if they’re to have a chance of reaching the Champions League knockout stage for the first time in their history. Domestically, however, the Austrian champions are again top of the table in the league, but did suffer their first loss of the season at the weekend at home to Sturm Graz (3-1). “Salzburg are a very awkward opponent and know how to put the opposition under pressure. When they win the ball, they attack quickly and well,” said FCB boss Flick at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

Find out all you need to know on our opponents Salzburg:

Personnel

Flick announced at the press conference that Corentin Tolisso, Bouna Sarr and Niklas Süle will all miss Wednesday’s game. They join Joshua Kimmich (knee) and Alphonso Davies on the sidelines, although the latter returned to light training this week after his ankle ligament injury. It’s still up in the air whether Lucas Hernandez will make it in time after he suffered bruising against Bremen.

Salzburg arrive in Bavaria without Antoine Bernede (fractured tibia), Patson Daka (muscular) and Masaya Okugawa (adductor).

Coaches’ view

Hansi Flick: “Our goal is to book our place in the last 16, but it’ll be a tough task. Salzburg did well in the first meeting. They’re a team who put the opposition under pressure well, but also have good and quick solutions in possession. We have the necessary respect and are prepared. The key thing is that every one of our players performs and works for the team. And then we’ve got huge quality and it’ll be tough to beat us.”

Jesse Marsch (Salzburg head coach): “It’s a super game for us against a top opponent in a super stadium. We’re looking forward to this game. It’s important we deliver our best performance. We saw in the first match that we can play at this level. We have to be more compact and disciplined. Bayern’s squad is great, they have a lot of quality, but our whole team believes in our chance.”

Check out what Flick and Leon Goretzka had to say at the pre-match press conferences:

The referee

Orel Grinfeld will take charge of Bayern’s game with Salzburg. It’s the 39-year-old Israeli’s first FCB appointment. He’s overseen two Champions League games already this season, including Borussia Mönchengladbach’s 2-2 draw with Real Madrid. The assistants are Roy Hassan and Idan Yarkoni, while Roi Reinschreiber is the VAR.

Top fact

Robert Lewandowski is one goal short of breaking into the Champions League’s top three all-time goalscorers. It would see him move level with Raul on 71 goals, with only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi ahead.

Check out more facts and figures on the Salzburg game here: