RB Salzburg: The French Connection
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As Paris Saint-Germain prepare to take on RB Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League tomorrow, we take look at the many links between the Austrian club and Ligue 1 -- more than a few players have turned out in both -- learn more about some of the most recognizable names below:
Sadio Mané: FC Metz 2011-12, rb salzburg 2012-14
A product of Senegal's famed Génération Foot academy, Mané is one of dozens of players to have made his name with Metz in France. While Les Grenats were playing in Ligue 2 during Mané's spell there, and would even suffer relegation to the third tier, he nonetheless impressed and would go on to help Salzburg to a league and cup double in his second season before moving to England.
Duje Caleta-Car: RB Salzburg 2014-18, Olympique de marseille 2018-22, Olympique Lyonnais 2023-
The Croatian-born Caleta-Car played for two minor clubs in Austria before joining Red Bull in 2014. He would help his side reach a historic Europa League semifinal in 2018, against future side Marseille, who he joined that summer. After four seasons at the Vélodrôme, he joined Southampton but is now back in France with Lyon, having made an initial loan deal permanent. Having played nearly 200 matches for his French clubs, he remains an experienced part of Les Gones' defence.
Takumi Minamino: RB salzburg 2015-20, AS Monaco 2022-,
His spell between the two clubs broken by a middling time with Liverpool, Minamino has become a lynchpin in Monaco's attack under Adi Hütter (himself a coach of the Austrians in 2014-15) after initially struggling in France. His spell in Austria was easily the most consistent of his career, though, as he amassed ten major honors while playing almost 200 matches in the city of Mozart.
Lucas Gourna-Douath: AS Saint-Étienne 2020-22, RB Salzburg 2022-
A prodigiously talented midfielder, Gourna-Douath came through Les Verts' academy before making the leap to Austria in 2022, following their relegation. A regular in the side, he's enjoyed his experiences in Europe, helping the team earn draws against Milan and Chelsea two years ago while being a consistent presence in France's underage national teams.
Other players that have featured of late for Red Bull and in Ligue 1 are Stade de Reims striker Oumar Diakité former Monaco midfielder Mohamed Camara, the Principality side's reserve goalkeeper and Philipp Köhn, as well as Auxerre's Gideon Mensah.
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