Austria’s series champion Salzburg takes on the round of 16 of the Football Champions League with heavyweight Bayern Munich. After a curious mishap, the draw had to be repeated on Monday at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon. Instead of the original opponent Liverpool, it finally became Germany’s record champions with ÖFB team kicker Marcel Sabitzer. It will be a reunion with Bayern, who were twice defeated in the CL group stage in 2020. The first game of Salzburg will be in Wals-Siezenheim on 15./16. or 22./23. February, the away second leg in Munich goes on 8/9. or 15./16. March over the stage.
The Salzburgers were combative. “We will certainly not freeze in awe. They are the big favorites, but if they want to win the Champions League, they have to beat us first, ”said sports director Christoph Freund at“ deja vu ”. After all, he and captain Andreas Ulmer and managing director Stephan Reiter gave his assessments of the alleged opponent Liverpool two hours before, before the news of the new draw burst during the media event and the press conference was rescheduled. The optimism of the outsider, who was represented in the round of 16 for the first time, remained the same. “There is almost nothing bigger for Red Bull Salzburg. Bayern are favorites to win the Champions League and maybe the best team ever. It’s going to be a huge game for our boys. It will be real football spectacle, ”announced Freund. Ulmer could only underline that. “We will be very, very brave on the field,” promised the veteran and full-back. Alaba still in Munich – Sabitzer still in Leipzig The most recent duels with FCB are only a little over a year old: Salzburg suffered at home on November 3, 2020 a 2: 6 defeat, away there was a 1: 3 on November 25, 2020. At that time, ÖFB star David Alaba, who is now playing for Real Madrid, was there in Bayern dress. He was followed by another Austrian, Marcel Sabitzer, who also has a history in Salzburg and played for the “Bulls” in the 2014/15 season. Just as defender Dayot Upamecano once did. “It’s difficult to compare, because a lot has happened in our country and a lot in theirs too,” said Ulmer. “And knockout games are something different than group games.” The six-time CL or championship winner for goal machine Robert Lewandowski is not only one of the favorites for the “premier class” this year, coach Julian Nagelsmann’s troops seem to be marching undeterred in the German Bundesliga for the 32nd title and the tenth in a row. At least this total dominance at national level unites the two opponents: Salzburg is heading for the ninth championship en suite. Balance speaks volumes The Munich balance since the introduction of the CL in 1992 – excluding the current season – speaks volumes: In 24 participations, they triumphed three times (most recently 2020) and was in the final three more times. Bayern reached the semi-finals six more times, only once was the end of the line in the group stage (2003). Kahn: “Salzburg’s highly talented” Bayern were very pleased with the Salzburg draw – after all, they had won Atletico Madrid in “first round”. “Of course we are favorites in these two matches,” said CEO Oliver Kahn, but not without warning: “Salzburg showed what they can in the preliminary round and rightly qualified for the first time in the Champions League round of 16. There is great euphoria there, it is a young, highly talented team. “Offensive routinist Thomas Müller was pleased compared to Atletico, among other things,” about the significantly shorter distances “and recalled the 2020 Games:” Those were intense matches. Salzburg plays football intensively, and accordingly we can prepare for hot games even if it gets a little cooler due to the season. ”The pandemic situation in Salzburg will also be followed with interest. A full house and thus 30,000 spectators – if permitted by the authorities – would be guaranteed. However, Reiter wanted to monitor the situation until the end of January before tickets go on sale. “We don’t want to have to reverse the sales. We will of course do our best to get as many fans into the stadium as possible, ”said the managing director. “It is clear that it will be sold out within a few hours.”
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