2023-08-31 19:07:38
Three times to the southern European states, twice to the sea – geographically, Salzburg’s Champions League group D has clear characteristics. In terms of sport, Austria’s soccer series champions want to achieve at least third place once morest Benfica Lisbon with coach Roger Schmidt, Inter Milan around ÖFB figurehead Marko Arnautovic and Real Sociedad from Spain. “We’re looking forward to this group and will throw everything we have into the balance,” said coach Gerhard Struber.
In their fifth participation in the Champions League group stage Salzburg is spared a very big name, but with Inter you still have to deal with last year’s finalists (0-1 once morest Manchester City). “A very exciting trio,” said Struber, summarizing the rivals. “I’d say they’re tough opponents. They’re two teams with high quality, but they’ll be great games,” said defender Amar Dedic. In the Champions League autumn a year ago, Salzburg met Inter’s city rivals AC Milan.
“I think we’re dealing with a very ambitious group with top teams,” said the new sporting director Bernhard Seonbuchner. The club is pursuing the goal “that we want to spend the winter in Europe”. Struber did not want to go into further detail as to whether third place or a position in the top two, which would mean promotion to the round of 16 of the Champions League, was being sought. “Basically, we want to get into the competition from game to game. Then we’ll see what’s possible.”
In any case, the Salzburg style of play should be consistent. “Under no circumstances will we discard this proactive attitude,” said Struber. “We’re just branded in that style.” However, the head coach of the Bundesliga leaders said that they are not yet at the “operating temperature” for the Champions League.
ÖFB record team player Arnautovic only moved from Bologna to Inter in Italy two weeks ago, where he had been under contract more than 13 years ago. Coach Simone Inzaghi’s team finished last season in Serie A in third place. At the beginning of August, Salzburg lost a friendly once morest Milan 4-3 at home in what was at times torrential rain.
Benfica coaches the German Schmidt, who held the same position at Salzburg from 2012 to 2014 and led the club to the 2014 title. “I’ll definitely write to him now,” revealed Salzburg captain Andreas Ulmer, who was already part of the team back then. Struber, then active in the Salzburg youth team, praised Schmidt in high tones. “He was sort of the midwife of our very proactive direction,” he said. Together with Ralf Rangnick, Schmidt left “anchor points” that the club still uses as a guide.
The Basque club Real Sociedad from San Sebastian is making its Champions League comeback following a nine-year absence. Salzburg have not played once morest Benfica and Inter in the group stage either.
Salzburg found themselves in pot three, avoiding encounters with Shakhtar Donetsk, who play their home games in Hamburg, AC Milan, SC Braga, PSV Eindhoven, Lazio Roma, FC Copenhagen and Red Star Belgrade. The nominally strongest group is F with Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Milan and Newcastle United. In Group G, defending champions Manchester City caught RB Leipzig (with the Austrian trio Christoph Baumgartner, Xaver Schlager and Nicolas Seiwald), Roter Stern (Aleksandar Dragovic) and Young Boys Bern as competitors.
Bayern Munich (Konrad Laimer) meets Manchester United, FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray Istanbul in Pool A. Group C features Italy’s champions Napoli, Real Madrid (David Alaba), SC Braga and debutant Union Berlin (Christopher Trimmel). Group C with Europa League winners FC Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven and RC Lens (Kevin Danso) also promises exciting duels.
In the group phase in six rounds until 12./13. December played, it starts on 19./20. September. The two best teams in each group qualify for the round of 16, while those third in the group continue to play in the Europa League. In the past season, Salzburg ended up there in the round of 36 once morest eventual finalists AS Roma. The Champions League final will take place on June 1, 2024 at Wembley Stadium in London.
From 2024/25, the well-known Champions League format with group stages will be history. 36 clubs then play in a league system with eight games once morest eight different opponents for a place in the round of 16. The top eight qualify directly for the knockout round, the other 16 teams up to 24th place fight in play-offs for a place in the round of the top 16.
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