Feyenoord take on RB Salzburg in UCL MD 4 encounter.

2024-10-31

In a high-stakes UEFA Champions League encounter, Feyenoord aims to continue their European winning streak against a struggling RB Salzburg, who seek their first points this campaign amidst a challenging trip to De Kuip.

Feyenoord

A 3-2 win over AZ Alkmaar at the weekend ensured Feyenoord remained in 4th place in the Dutch domestic league standings before their UCL encounter against Salzburg. The Dutch outfit defeated Benfica 3-1 on UCL MD 3, where Antoni Milambo scored a brace in the [33’, 90’+2] minutes.

That victory marked back-to-back UCL wins for Feyenoord, helping them climb to 16th place with six points [2W, 0D, 1L]. Brian Priske’s side will aim to add Salzburg to their list of casualties when they meet at De Kuip on Wednesday.

This clash will be the first between Feyenoord and RB Salzburg on European turf. The last time Feyenoord faced an Austrian team at home, they secured a convincing 6-0 win over Sturm Graz in the UEFA Europa League in September 2022.

Historically, Feyenoord have won twice in four home games against Austrian visitors [2W, 2D, 1L], losing only once to Wolfsberg 1-4 in the 2020/21 Europa League group stage. Securing victory in this midweek clash would give Feyenoord three successive European wins for the first time since their winning streak in the European Cup in 1971-72.

A 4—2—3—1 formation with Julian Carranza in attack is expected. However, Feyenoord will be without Santiago Gimenez and Ayase Ueda for this midweek UCL showdown at De Kuip.

Salzburg

Salzburg are among the six sides in the UEFA Champions League currently without a point, having suffered three consecutive defeats. The visitors sit in 34th place, saved from the bottom only by their goal difference, which edges them above ŠK Slovan Bratislava.

The Red Bulls aim to improve their challenging situation to remain in contention for at least the play-off round. A top-eight finish in the league phase of the revamped UCL now seems nearly impossible.

This will be Salzburg’s first major European away match against a Dutch side, but they have previously beaten FC Twente 5-4 on aggregate in the third qualifying round. With a record of one win, three draws, and two losses against Dutch teams, they hope to secure successive away victories against such sides as they face Feyenoord on Wednesday.

Pepijn Lijnders is expected to use his preferred 4-3-3 formation, featuring Oscar Gloukh, Adam Daghim, and Karim Konaté in attack. Despite having to contend with numerous injuries, Salzburg will also miss Alexander Schlager and Joane Gadou due to suspensions.