Atletico Madrid will look to secure a top-eight finish with a win over Red Bull Salzburg on the final matchday of the league phase.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will look to seal a spot in the round of the 16 of the UEFA Champions League when they square up against Red Bull Salzburg away from home on Wednesday. While the visitors have a lot to play for, the home team will be fighting to salvage some pride.
Red Bull Salzburg have only accumulated three points in their seven outings, and they are already out of the race for a sport in the knockout stage. They might not have anything to play for but will still be looking to end things on a high.
They got smashed 5-1 by Real Madrid in their last outing and things do not look that great for them as they are gearing up to face their city rivals Atletico Madrid. The visitors are currently fifth on the table with 15 points in their seven outings.
They have already guaranteed themselves a spot in the knockout stage but need a result to ensure they go straight to the round of 16. They have a two-point cushion over ninth-placed Aston Villa and even a draw here could do the trick for them. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Red Bull Salzburg
The visitors will be without the services of Karim Konate, Maurits Kjaergaard, and Daouda Guindo. Red Bull Salzburg will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Janis Blaswich should be in goal.
Aleksa Terzic and Amar Dedic will feature as the full-backs, while Samson Baidoo will partner with Hendry Blank in the heart of the defence. The back four are going to have a tough time stopping a star-studded Atletico Madrid attack.
In the centre of the park, Moussa Yeo and Oscar Gloukh will feature in the wide areas. Meanwhile, Mads Bidstrup and Nicolas Capaldo will take control in a more central role. Dorgeles Nene will partner with Adam Daghim in the final third.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Blaswich; Dedic, Baidoo, Blank, Terzic; Yeo, Bidstrup, Capaldo, Gloukh; Daghim, Nene
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone will be without the services of Javi Galan, who is out injured. Meanwhile, Pablo Barrios is suspended for this fixture following a straight red in their last UEFA Champions League outing.
Clement Lenglet is back in the mix after serving a suspension in their last league outing. Atletico Madrid will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Jan Oblak should continue in goal. Reinildo Mandava and Nahuel Molina could be the full-backs with Samuel Lino featuring in midfield. In the heart of the defence, Robin Le Normand should partner Cesar Azpilicueta.
Guiliano Simeone and Lino will feature in the wide areas in midfield, while Koke and Rodrigo De Paul should take up a more central role. Antoine Griezmann should partner Julian Alvarez in the final third.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Azpilicueta, Reinildo; Simeone, Koke, De Paul, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez
Key Stats
- Red Bull Salzburg last made it to the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League back in 2021/22.
- The home team have failed to win their last three Champions League outings against Spanish opposition since beating Sevilla in December 2021.
- Atletico Madrid have won each of their last four European away matches in Austria.
- The two teams have faced each other on two occasions in the past with Atletico Madrid winning both those encounters.
Player to Watch
Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez has been enjoying life at his next club, and he has 16 goals and two assists to show for it. The Argentine international has fully adjusted to Simeone’s system and given the kind of form he has been in, the 24-year-old could end up being the difference between the two teams.
Prediction
Red Bull Salzburg 0-2 Atletico Madrid
Both teams have had contrasting fortunes this season. Red Bull Salzburg are already out of the race for a spot in the knockout phase, while Atletico Madrid are fighting for a top-eight finish.
Diego Simeone’s team have won both their meetings against Salzburg and given the kind of form both teams have been in, Los Rojiblancos should secure all three points here without much difficulty. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 2-0 win for the visitors.
