Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg: Match review | OneFootball

After more than a month, Champions League nights return to the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid take on RB Salzburg in a must-win fixture.

Aurelien Tchouaméni returns to the squad after being ruled out for the last match. However, Los Blancos will be without a right back for this match since Lucas Vazquez is suspended for this fixture.

Fede Valverde is expected to take his place with Raul Asencio, Fran García and Ferland Mendy also possible players to play in that position. Youngsters Jacobo Ramon and midfielder Chema have also been called up for this all important fixture.

Jude Bellingham has seemingly slowed down and has not been involved on the attacking front in the last three matches. That said, the Englishman is putting in a good shift in the midfield.

With Valverde slotting in defence, Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos will take up the two spots in midfield with Luka Modric and Arda Güler also in contention. Vinícius Júnior meanwhile, will step onto the field for this match as his suspension is only restricted to the La Liga fixtures.

The Brazilian has been Madrid’s leading goal scorer in the UCL with 5 goals in 5 matches, followed by Kylian Mbappe and surprisingly Antonio Rüdiger with 2 each.

Mbappe has seemingly found his footing and has been in his best form since the start of the season. The Merengues will require him to be at his best in order to have a chance to qualify for the top 8 – the chances of which are very slim.

RB Salzburg on the other hand, return to competitive football for the first time since December as the Austrian side have only played two friendly fixtures this month – both ending in losses.

They sit 5th in the Austrian Bundesliga with 7 wins in 16 matches. This sort of form is way below their standards, having won their league 10 times in the last 11 seasons.

The Austrian side has just 1 win in the Champions League and are on the brink of being knocked out if they are to lose this match.

Oscar Gloukh is the club’s leading goal scorer this season with 7 goals – along with 6 assists – in 25 matches but has gone goal less in the UCL.

Nene Dorgeles and Nicolas Capaldo are also players to watch out for. The duo plays an integral part in Salzburg’s midfield and have also scored 4 goals each this season.But they have been poor in the UCL, having scored just 3 goals in 6 matches this year.

Real Madrid would be licking their lips looking at Salzburg’s defensive record, having conceded 18 goals an average of 3 goals per game.

With Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo in form, Vinicius well rested and ready to go, Jude Bellingham eager to score, the Austrians can have a really long night.

Both sides have all to play for with Real Madrid wanting to enter the top 8 while Salzburg eager to prevent early elimination from the competition. Expect an exciting night at the Bernabeu.