The ADMIRAL Bundesliga season is set to kick off this weekend with an exciting matchup as FC Red Bull Salzburg heads to Ried for the opening game on Saturday evening, 2 August at 19:30 CEST. The reigning runners-up, who finished second in the league for the last two years, are eager to reclaim the league title amidst fierce competition, particularly from the current champions, Sturm Graz.
In preparation for this season, Salzburg had a unique pre-season that included participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they secured four points. This momentum carried into their first UEFA Champions League qualifying round, where they performed admirably against Norwegian champions SK Brann, winning 5-2 on aggregate.
Despite a recent loss to Amstetten, newly promoted SV Ried showed resilience by bouncing back with a dominant 5-0 victory over Parndorf in the ÖFB Cup. They will look to leverage their home support and the excitement of their promotion as they face a strong Salzburg team.
Salzburg can expect significant away support in Ried’s BWT Oberösterreichische Arena, and fans can follow the match on Sky Sport Austria along with live text updates.
Looking ahead, the team will have another important match the following week at their Red Bull Arena against GAK. Fans are encouraged to participate in the My RBS Prediction Game, which allows them to compete with fellow supporters for weekly prizes, adding an engaging element to the season.
From the injury front, several players will not be available for selection, including Takumu Kawamura, Karim Konate, John Mellberg, Valentin Sulzbacher, Moussa Yeo, and Christian Zawieschitzky, along with Aleksa Terzic, who is suspended.
Coaching staff acknowledge the challenges ahead, particularly against a newly promoted team known for their enthusiasm and competitive spirit. Thomas Letsch and his team are committed to recovering and preparing effectively to ensure they perform at their best.
With a thrilling season ahead, fans have much to look forward to as the teams battle it out on the pitch for glory. The combination of seasoned players, new talents, and the support of loyal fans will be crucial in defining this season’s journey in Austrian football.