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“You have no weakness. But we come with our strength,” emphasized coach Jesse Marsch before the Champions League game at home against Bayern Munich on Tuesday (9pm / Sky live). Against “the best team in the world” Marsch awaited the “final test” for his team.
The anticipation of Salzburg for the special duel is great. “We are very excited to have Bayern here. It is a team that is not that far from Salzburg,” Marsch said and, like midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic, he meant this purely geographically. “Austria against Germany is something very special, Munich is not that far away, so almost a derby. We can all look forward to it,” Junuzovic said.
The first two tasks of this season, Lok Moscow (2: 2) and Atlético de Madrid (2: 3), the Salzburg team, which often have fewer challenges at the national level, did not pass the result. The next one will be even more complicated: “It’s a great test, like a final exam,” Marsch emphasized. A litmus test that shouldn’t change Red Bull’s DNA. “We will play our football strong, with courage and aggression,” Marsch said. “If we can do that, we will always have a chance, no matter who against.”
“Your options are great”
The work of Bayern coach Hansi Flick was highly praised by Marsch. “Hansi Flick did an incredibly good job. From day one he tried a more intense football and made the team feel so strong. With these two things, his quality and the possibilities are great.” He spoke a lot with his team about Bayern’s development last year. “Now is an opportunity to show our development, against the best opponents.”
Flick immediately returned the praise to Salzburg. “Salzburg have been doing it brilliantly for years. They have very young, talented players and a game idea that is very modern, very aggressive and that puts the opponent under pressure, but they also try to find the direct route to the goal with the ball. Things that I also like “, said Flick and warned:” We have to adjust to the possession of the ball and minimize errors, that will be important against Salzburg. “
Concentrated offensive power travels with Bayern. Led by goal machine Robert Lewandowski, the Munich team scored an average of 3.5 goals this season. Lewandowski is considered by many to be the best striker in the world right now, he last stopped at Bayern’s 2-1 in Cologne of his own free will. After ten goals in five league games, he is targeting his first Champions League goal this season. “The break was good for him,” Flick said.
Praise in the media spotlight
However, the focus of the media on Monday were two defenders. On the one hand Niklas Süle, who will be absent after a positive corona test, and his partner in central defense, David Alaba. Just before the guest appearance in their home country, Bayern withdrew the offer to extend the contract. This to the surprise of the ÖFB star, who can now leave Munich without a transfer at the end of the season.
The Salzburg team does not have forward Patson Daka due to a thigh injury. According to March Noah Okafor, the 5-0 three-goal scorer against WSG Tirol, Sekou Koita, Karim Adeyemi or Masaya Okugawa would be available as a replacement. “Everyone played well over the weekend, especially Sekou Koita,” Marsch said.
The advantage of playing at home disappears. Spectators are not allowed due to the blackout that will apply from Tuesday. “It’s a shame without fans, but we come with all of our passion and mentality,” Marsch said. Former Werder Bremen legionnaire Junuzovic suspected that his team would have to overcome Madrid’s performance for something accounting against Bayern “with the winning victory”. “Take another step, be smarter in certain situations” is the motto.
In the clearly negative balance of the European Cup of the Austrian teams against the Germans (17 wins, 11 draws, 36 losses), Salzburg stands out with positive values: four wins (against Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04 and RB Leipzig / twice ) and two draws against only two losses. Salzburg did not play a competitive match against Bayern in Austria.
