UCL Preview: Brest head to Salzburg
A dangerous opponent
While the Austrian Bundesliga may not spring to mind as one of Europe's top leagues, Red Bull have been a consistently strong team in Europe since their takeover by the energy drinks giant some twenty years ago. Winning 14 out of 19 league titles in that span thanks to players like Sadio Mané, Erling Haaland and Takumi Minamino, they have impressed domestically, but less so in Europe. Despite a decorated history on the continent, including a run to the final of the 1994 UEFA Cup which, it would take the until the 2019/20 season to reach the group stage of this competition.
While they've been more regular participants in it of late, their domestic has also dipped slightly -- they are currently just third in the league, and lost the title for the first time in a decade to Sturm Graz. Entering this season, they replaced Gerhard Struber with Pep Lijnders, but will be dealing with a raft of injuries as well as the departures of key players such as defender Strahinja Pavlovic and midfielder Luka Sucic. Missing key players like Samson Baidoo, Maurits Kjaergaard and both of their first choice left backs doesn't set the hosts in good stead.
Les 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐬 à Salzbourg ! 👀#SALSB29 pic.twitter.com/IfMnBXnOE9
— Stade Brestois 29 (@SB29) September 30, 2024
A rebound needed
This is good news for Brest, who, despite that impressive win in their first-ever European fixture, most recently were thoroughly beaten by Auxerre on Friday evening, despite playing a relatively strong XI. Still without midfield lynchpin Pierre Lees-Melou. this has been an up-and-down season for Éric Roy's side, who will also be without Bradley Locko. So solid defensively last season, they have struggled in that regard in the current campaign, having conceded 13 goals in the league, and will hope to improve upon that here.
Speaking before the match, veteran defender Kenny Lala, a player who has featured in European competitions with Strasbourg and Olympiakos, averred that the match gave the team a chance to rebound quickly, saying, "With the Champions League, we quickly move on. We want to prove that we know how to do better, that we can do better, that we're going to do better. We have no choice, but the mindset is good." That good mindset, as well as a strong approach on the pitch, will be vital this evening if the Bretons are to make it two wins from two.
Predicted XIs:
RB Salzburg (4-3-3): Blaswich; Morgalla, Piatkowski, Blank, Dedic; Capaldo, Bajcetic, Gourna-Douath; Dorgeles, Yeo, Gloukh
Stade Brestois (4-3-3): Bizot; Lala, Le Cardinal, Chardonnet, Haïdara; Camara, Fernandes, Magnetti; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Sima
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