Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Salzburg will try to bounce back from a heavy 5-1 loss to Real Madrid when they take on yet another Spanish giants Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening. The Red Bulls missed out on a spot in the Champions League knockout stages, meaning that they have little to play for against los Rojiblancos. All Guindo, Konate, Tijani, Onisiwo, and Kjaergaard should miss out with injuries for the home side.
Diego Simeone’s men, on the other hand, are eyeing their fifth consecutive win in the elite competition. Atletico Madrid are eager to book their spot in top eight and with Salzburg heading into the match with the lack of motivation, away win should be considered. Pablo Barrios is banned for the La Liga outfit, while Javi Galan is out of contention with injury. Argentina midfielder Rodrigo de Paul is widely expected to return to the starting XI after coming as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Villarreal at the weekend.
Highlighted Player (Antoine Griezmann):
Anthony Griezmann is a French forward born on 21st March 1991 in Macon, and he is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting footballers at the moment. The pacey striker started showing his potential shortly after coming through Real Sociedad’s youth academy and he went on to score 46 goals in 179 league appearances for La Real. Excellent displays in Spanish la Liga saw him become a target for a number of top clubs, but he eventually choose to sign for Atletico Madrid, and that proved to be a very good decision.
Griezmann continued the rich vein of form at Vicente Calderon, scoring some important goals as los Colchoneros enjoyed domestic and European success, while also becoming a key member of the France national team.
Playing as a winger or second striker, Griezmann possesses impressive technical skills, he is a strong finisher and still finds time to work hard for his side, so no wonder he is widely regarded as one of the leading forwards on the continent. He won the U19 European Championship with France and is tipped to lead Les Bleus to glory on senior level as well.
Highlighted Team (Salzburg):
Salzburg are a professional football club that compete in Austrian Bundesliga. The club’s main sponsors are Red Bull and, as a result, they are well known under the name of the Red Bulls. The club was founded on 13 September, 1933 and they won their first Austrian Bundesliga trophy in 1994.
Salzburg quickly established themselves as the dominant force in the national championship and they are the most successful Austrian club in the 21st century. It has to be noted that they won their tenth Austrian Premier League trophy in 2016, finishing the season nine points clear of second-placed Rapid Wien.
The Red Bulls welcome their rivals at Red Bull Arena, the stadium that was opened on 8 March, 2008. The capacity of the venue is 31 895. Salzburg participated in the 1993/1994 UEFA Cup final, but Italian side proved to be a big catch for the Austrian outfit. Inter recorded a 2-0 win over Salzburg in the final (on aggregate).