Salzburg face huge task

The 2021/22 UEFA Champions League returns with the knockout stages this week and in the first leg of the round of 16, we have a meeting between Red Bull Salzburg and Bayern München.

Red Bull Salzburg come into the game having beat Rapid Vienna 2-1 away from home in the Austrian Bundesliga on the weekend. Having fallen behind in the 17th minute, Red Bull Salzburg came out strongly in the second half and scored two goals to take maximum points.

That result means Red Bull Salzburg are undefeated in their last five competitive fixtures in all competitions.

Red Bull Salzburg have opened a lead at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga and are on their way to yet another title. However, they have their work cut out to progress in the Champions League and have recorded one victory from their 3 most recent games in the competition.

The win came at home against Sevilla, which was a great result but prior to that victory, there were defeats at Wolfsburg and Lille.

Home form in the Champions League shows Red Bull Salzburg have won each of their last 4 matches. However, conceding goals has been a problem and Red Bull Salzburg have kept just a single clean sheet in their last 11 Champions League games on home soil.

Bayern München make the trip to the Stadion Wals-Siezenheim on the back of a disappointing 4-2 defeat at Bochum on the weekend in the Bundesliga.

That was the first defeat for Bayern München in 4 games, having previously won each of their 3 Bundesliga fixtures.

Salzburg face huge task

Looking ahead to the team news and Red Bull Salzburg are without the injured quartet of Benjamin Sesko, Zlatko Junuzovic, Bernardo, and Sekou Koita. Jerome Junior Onguene could be available following the Africa Cup of Nations.

Bayern München are expected to be without Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies, and Leon Goretzka, who are injured. Jamal Musiala has tested positive for COVID-19.