'Crucial match' vs. Salzburg: FCB target UCL quarters

Curtain up for the first Champions League match of the year at the Allianz Arena: On Tuesday evening (kick-off 21:00 CET, follow it live on the FC Bayern app), FC Bayern welcome FC Salzburg for the second leg of the Champions League last 16 - here's the most important information on the match in our preview.

The day before the Champions League last 16 second leg:

FC Bayern's state of play

Only a last-minute goal by Kingsley Coman secured Bayern a draw in the first leg - and improved the state of play for FCB ahead of their second leg against FC Salzburg. "It wasn't a dream result at 1-1, but it was a decent one. So I think the signs are good," Thomas Müller said at a press conference on Monday. Although FCB were not 100% satisfied with their warm-up to the game at the weekend, a 1-1 draw with Bayer 04 Leverkusen, coach Julian Nagelsmann was still firmly convinced in the Salzburg pre-match presser "that we'll have a very good game and progress [to the next round]."

First and foremost, the team is looking forward to Europe's elite club competition: "Champions League evenings at the Allianz Arena are always something special, and we will try to advance to the next stage with 25,000 fans behind us. For us, there's only one thing in mind, and that is getting through," Niklas Süle said on Saturday. Now his head coach has explained what he has to do: "It's a crucial match." That's why it's important to "put in the necessary performance and to do everything possible to facilitate that. But I'm very confident that every player has this goal," said Nagelsmann.

The facts ahead of the game:

The opponents: FC Salzburg

Salzburg want to achieve something historic in Munich: The visitors could become the first Austrian team since FK Austria Wien in the 1984/85 season to reach the quarter-finals of the top European competition, and the first ever since the advent of the UEFA Champions League. But for that to happen, Matthias Jaissle's team would also have to become the first Austrian team to win in Munich. The side's belief in that is great, as the 33-year-old confidently explained: "We want to reward ourselves for an awesome season so far, and we're ready to do so tomorrow."

Salzburg are now undefeated in nine games (seven wins, two draws) and have long since overtaken their national rivals: going into Tuesday night's game, they are a comfortable nine points clear of the rest of the chasing pack, and after reaching the cup semi-finals in early February, a domestic double is still on. So is the team now ready for a big coup on the European stage? "Salzburg are a dangerous team that will demand everything from us," warned Nagelsmann, without losing confidence in his team: "I'm not down about our chances and do not expect us to go out".

Salzburg's form under the microscope:

Squad updates ahead of FC Bayern vs. FC Salzburg

The captain's comeback is imminent: "Manuel Neuer will be able to play if there are no setbacks overnight. We're all happy about that," Nagelsmann said of the No. 1, who's been consigned to the sidelines for four weeks due to knee surgery. However, Bayern will still be missing Leon Goretzka (in rehab training after knee problems), Alphonso Davies (mild signs of myocarditis) and Corentin Tolisso (individual training after tearing a muscle). Lucas Hernández, who was recently suspended in the Bundesliga, is back in the squad. 

Salzburg are without Bryan Okoh and Sekou Koita (both due to cruciate ligament injuries), both of whom have been injured for some time, and Jérôme Onguéné, who has fallen ill. According to Jaissle, Oumar Solet and Benjamin Sesko, who have recently been suffering from muscular problems, have made the trip to Munich, but will not be available tomorrow. For Noah Okafor, on the other hand, it was a case of "not being there yet" after previously sustaining a thigh injury.

What the coaches have to say:

Julian Nagelsmann:  "Salzburg will try to put us under pressure, especially in the early stages of the game. It's the RB way of hustling and harrying opponents - in a good way - in a game, and we have to be prepared for that. Salzburg have been a good side for years now. They don't play out from the back like Barcelona in their golden period, but they have a clear idea - even after winning the ball. It's never easy to defend, as you saw in the first leg. Their game is not always the most attractive, but it's still dangerous, because they have players with speed and aggression in pressing. They're a dangerous team that will demand everything from us."

Matthias Jaissle (FC Salzburg head coach): "The belief in the camp is strong, the first leg showed that we can frustrate Bayern. But we know that our starting position has not changed: we are the underdogs and are playing one of the best teams in Europe. Bayern want to win the Champions League. We know what's in store for us - a real test. Bayern have a squad with top, top players. From here on in, we are well prepared."

Clément Turpin the man in the middle

The referee on Tuesday evening is Clément Turpin. This will be the sixth time Bayern have played a Champions League match officiated by the 39-year-old Frenchman. In addition to three wins, including the 7-2 romp at Tottenham Hotspur in October 2019 and the 3-0 victory at Chelsea FC less than five months later in the last 16 first leg, Bayern have drawn twice with Turpin in charge. Turpin will be assisted by compatriots Nicolas Danos and Cyril Gringore, with Ruddy Buquet the fourth official. Jérôme Brisard and Delajod Willy will man the VAR.

Five memorable last 16 second leg ties: