Bayer Leverkusen Hopes for European Glory Against Slumped Salzburg
Bayer Leverkusen welcome Red Bull Salzburg to the BayArena on Tuesday night in an important Champions League Group C match. The two teams come into the game with contrasting fortunes: Leverkusen try to bounce back from a morale-crushing defeat at Anfield, while Salzburg is looking to build on their recent win in Europe.
Match Preview
Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League Journey
Leverkusen experienced a disappointing 4-0 loss to Liverpool in their previous Champions League appearance, as the team lost for the first time in the current season’s competition. That defeat has not pushed Xabi Alonso’s team out of a respectable 13th position in the 36-team standings with seven points from four matches.
While domestically, Leverkusen roared back to form over the weekend with a 5-2 demolition of Heidenheim thanks to a sensational hat-trick from Patrik Schick, this victory snapped a three-game winless streak across all competitions and extended their unbeaten home record to seven matches.
Leverkusen’s fine European form sees them having secured 11 wins in continental competitions since the start of the 2023-24 season, excluding qualifiers-the best tally of any club in that period.
Mixed Campaign of Red Bull Salzburg
Salzburg’s journey in the Champions League started off with three back-to-back losses, but they revived it with the commanding 3-1 win against Feyenoord earlier this month. Still, the Austrian outfit occupy the 30th position, outside the playoff places and remains inconsistent.
Domestically, Pep Lijnders’ side has faltered, losing consecutive matches against Blau-Weiss Linz and LASK Linz by identical 2-1 scorelines. They now sit 14 points off league leaders Sturm Graz to flag concerns about their form on the pitch.
Tuesday’s match is the first competitive encounter between Leverkusen and Salzburg. Bayer Leverkusen traditionally performs well against Austrian teams, with three wins and two draws in five matches.
Team News
Bayer Leverkusen’s Injury Issues
Leverkusen are further handicapped by massive injury setbacks, particularly in attack.
Nathan Tella is likely to replace Frimpong and Florian Wirtz and Aleix Garcia will provide support to Patrik Schick in the final third.
Predicted Starting Lineup for Bayer Leverkusen:
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Tella, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Garcia, Wirtz; Schick
Red Bull Salzburg’s Probable Squad
Salzburg welcomes back its goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, who returns from suspension. They are still without Bryan Okoh, Leandro Morgalla, Takumu Kawamura, Maurits Kjaergaard, and Fernando as each of these players has different injuries.
Karim Konate, who struck twice against Feyenoord but scored an own goal over the weekend, will lead the attack, supported by highly-rated Oscar Gloukh.
Predicted Red Bull Salzburg Starting XI:
Schlager; Dedic, Baidoo, Piatkowski, Terzic; Diambou, Gourna-Douath, Clark; Nene, Konate, Gloukh
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 Red Bull Salzburg
Salzburg find themselves with their backs against the wall in domestic and European competitions. Even with injury problems, Xabi Alonso’s men have the quality and depth to see Salzburg off with so much ease. The Bundesliga champions are expected to play commandingly and make sure of an emphatic victory.
