Fan record for massive 2025 opener in Madrid

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FC Red Bull Salzburg

·20 janvier 2025

Fan record for massive 2025 opener in Madrid

Trip to reigning holders on Wednesday

Our first competitive match of 2025 could not possibly be any more exciting! We are visiting the 80,000-capacity freshly renovated Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for the 7th UEFA Champions League matchday at record champions and current holders Real Madrid. The best thing about it is that close to 4,500 Salzburg fans will be there to support our Red Bulls - a new record away following for our club!

We will certainly need support against the star-studded Real Madrid side. The squad featuring Kylian Mbappe and others has an incredible estimated market value of €1.23bn, with Carlo Ancelotti having several world-class options to choose from in every position. The hosts' selection will be interesting from an Austrian point of view, with David Alaba making a return from injury after over a year out last Sunday - putting him firmly in contention to face us too.

Vidéos OneFootball

Real Madrid opposition analysis Read now!

In the first competitive clash between Real and ourselves, it will be important that we are not in any way overawed. Of course the hosts are big favourites, but we have nothing to lose and will give everything we can to create a major upset. We can gain hope from the fact Real are yet to keep a clean sheet in the Champions League this season.

Los Blancos are under pressure due to the situation in the Champions League table. The holders are currently down in 20th, and not yet sure of progressing with two matches still to play in the league phase, with a place in the top eight looking a tough prospect. Things are going better domestically as La Liga leaders, with a confidence-boosting 4-1 win over Las Palmas at the weekend behind them.

Live updates & (a free) stream

We will provide you with live text updates of the big clash on our website. There is a new option for fans at home in Austria, with all A1 customers able to stream the match for free on Canal+. There is no need to register, as you just have to be connected with A1 internet when opening the app (all the details).

Views

It's a privilege to have the chance to play at the reigning Champions League winners at the Bernabeu. That's the attitude we will take into the match. We are realistic enough to know everything will have to fall into place to get something there. The situation going into the match could not be any clearer.

Thomas Letsch

We obviously aren't favourites for the match. The Spanish league is already going again, and they are in the rhythm of playing regularly, while it will be our first competitive match of the new year. Real also really need points, which doesn't make our task any easier. We want to perform as well as possible at Real Madrid though and play appropriately.

Kamil Piatkowski

Injury news

Not available are Daouda Guindo (knee), Maurits Kjaergaard (ankle) and Karim Konate (knee). New signing Karim Onisiwo is not eligible for UEFA matches.