RB Salzburg welcomes Brest for UCL Match Day 2.
As Salzburg seeks to recover from a tough opening defeat, they meet Brest for the first time in European competition, with both sides eager to make history in this intriguing Champions League clash.
Salzburg
Oscar Gloukh’s brace (10' P, 88') against Austria Wien helped Salzburg sit third in the Austrian Bundesliga standings with 13 points (4W, 1D, 1L). The Red Bulls, who have won their last two matches across all competitions (LLDWW), will be aiming to bounce back from their opening-day 3-0 defeat away at Sparta Praha. They face Brest on UCL Match Day 2 in the league phase of the revamped competition.
Salzburg are currently without a point (0W, 0D, 1L), making them one of 15 sides without one, alongside heavyweights like Barcelona and AC Milan. This fixture will be the first encounter between Salzburg and Brest in European competition. It will be just the second opponent that the Austrians have faced in the UCL after two games against Lille in the 2021-22 group stage.
Salzburg have won four of their five home games against French sides in European competitions (4W, 0D, 1L), including each of the last three in a row. The Red Bulls’ only home defeat to a French side came against Nice back in 2016 during the Europa League group stage. However, the Austrians are enduring their longest winless run in the UCL to date, having failed to win their last six games in the competition (0W, 1D, 5L).
A front three of Adam Daghim, Karim Konaté, and Nene Dorgeles is expected in a 4-3-3 formation against Brest on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Maurits Kjærgaard (ACL) and Fernando (hip) will miss this clash due to season-ending injuries.
Brest
Meanwhile, Brest [DLWWL], who have endured a poor start to the season, lost 3-0 to Auxerre on Friday. However, the French side secured a 2-1 victory over another Austrian side, Sturm Graz, in their opening Champions League fixture.
Les Pirates will play their first-ever away game in European competition, hoping to become the first French team to win their first away game in the UCL since Auxerre in 1996-97. A win on Tuesday will also see Éric Roy's side become just the second French team to win both of their first two games in the UCL after Strasbourg in September-October 1979.
Abdallah Sima, who scored the winning goal on Match Day 1, is expected to lead the line for Brest in a 4-3-3 formation, alongside Romain Del Castillo and Ludovic Ajorque. Meanwhile, Bradley Locko [Achilles], who is not expected back until February, and Pierre Lees-Melou [broken leg] are the two absentees for this clash.
Team form
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Team Comparison
Side-by-side assessment of team statistics, including goals, attacks, and more. This allows you to directly compare key performance metrics. Analyzing these stats can reveal patterns and strengths that might influence the outcome.