Salzburg also wants to make the game against Chelsea successful for Dietrich Mateschitz. Before kick-off there will be a “minute of gratitude” with applause in memory of the late Red Bull founder, after which the injury-plagued “bulls” want to cause a surprise.
Salzburg are the only undefeated team with six points going into the penultimate game in Group E, Chelsea (seven points) could secure group victory, AC Milan and Dinamo Zagreb (four) are at stake in the parallel game on Tuesday (9 p.m.). the connection to the top duo. With a win against Chelsea, Salzburg would be overwintered internationally before the last group game in Milan (November 2nd), at least in the Europa League. In the event of a draw, the chances of another promotion to the knockout stages of the Champions League would be more than intact.
Salzburg prepared for Chelsea
Salzburg could make it to the knockout phase early in the Champions League on Tuesday. However, this requires a win against Chelsea.
“I won’t push any arithmetic games until everything is wrapped up,” emphasized Jaissle, but looked back positively on the first leg in London (1-1). His team did well at Stamford Bridge, so the German is confident “that we can do it again”.
Champions League, Group E
Tuesday, 6.45 p.m.:
Salzburg – Chelsea
Salzburg, Salzburg Stadium, SR Schärer (SUI)
Possible lineups:
Salzburg: Köhn – Dedic, Solet, Pavlovic, Wöber – Gourna-Douath – Seiwald, Sucic, Kjaergaard – Okafor, Sesko
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga – Silva, Koulibaly, Chalobah – Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Jorginho, Chilwell – Mount, Sterling – Aubameyang
“It will be a challenge”
Against the star squad from England around Raheem Sterling or Mason Mount it is also clear: “It will be a challenge, we will suffer a lot.” Goalkeeper Philipp Köhn was combative. “We saw in the first leg that we can keep up. We’re going into the game to win it.”
“We know that big things are coming up again,” said Salzburg’s defensive giant Strahinja Pavlovic. But: “We have a lot of self-confidence due to the last performances.” Jaissle will definitely give his team a precise match plan. Without unnecessary ball losses, with a lot of commitment and good chances, as he said, the stay in international business should be fixed on Tuesday.
The scenery in Wals-Siezenheim should help, the game will take place in front of a full house (29,520 spectators). “We assume that it will be a great atmosphere again,” said Jaissle.
Jaissle optimistic despite staff concerns
However, a “brutal challenge” awaits Jaissle and his coaching team not only because of the opponent. The personnel concerns in the city of Mozart are great, the question marks for the starting eleven and the squad are omnipresent. “We need to anticipate every eventuality and make some plans. Plan A, B and C isn’t enough this time. But we’re not complaining, and I’m still very optimistic,” says Jaissle.
Nicolas Capaldo (knee) will probably not be enough for an assignment, the decisions for experienced Andreas Ulmer (adductors), Dijon Kameri (shoulder) and Luka Sucic (thigh) will only be made after the final training session and final examinations. Oumar Solet, who stayed in the dressing room with a thigh problem during the break in the top Bundesliga game against Sturm, should be fit for the Chelsea game, as should Bernardo, who was recently ill. But Jaissle doesn’t want to complain and instead tries to find solutions.
Chelsea unbeaten under Potter
This will be needed in order to be able to challenge the “Blues”, who are still undefeated under neo-trainer Graham Potter. The 2021 CL winner showed up again in the premier class with two wins against Milan (3-0/2-0), in the Premier League there were most recently at FC Brentford (0-0) and against Manchester United (1-1 ) but twice no sense of achievement.
In the hit against ManUnited on Saturday, the Potter-Elf conceded the equalizer in the 94th minute, which means that the Londoners are currently fifth in the league. Potter still has a score to settle with Salzburg anyway, Noah Okafor’s late equalizer in the first leg spoiled the coach’s Chelsea debut.
Potter warned of Salzburg’s home strength
Potter remembers the first leg well. “They were always dangerous in attack, are very, very well organised, play with aggressive pressing. A team with many young, highly talented and fast players,” analyzed the coach. Now comes the home advantage. “Salzburg are very dangerous, especially at home, especially with the intensity they show in their own stadium. We’ve got to be extreme in order to be successful,” Potter pointed out.
But Potter also sees his team on the right track. “The two games against Milan were better, but we’re not there yet,” he explained, remaining cautious. “The group is very demanding. All teams have high quality and a lot.”
