Alaba substituted

Real Madrid v Salzburg – LIVE from 9pm

Real Madrid did not give Salzburg a chance.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Pierre-Philippe MARCOU)

Real Madrid gave Salzburg a lesson in the Champions League. Despite a spirited performance, Salzburg were beaten 1:5. ÖFB captain David Alaba also made his comeback for the "royals" in the "premier class".

Red Bull Salzburg came away with nothing in their clash with Real Madrid. The "Bulls" conceded 1:5 in the Champions League in Madrid on Wednesday and therefore have no chance of reaching the play-offs in the top flight before the final round. Rodrygo (23rd, 34th), Kylian Mbappe (48th) and Vinicius Junior (55th, 77th) scored for the hosts, for whom David Alaba was substituted in the 64th minute, with Mads Bidstrup (85th) scoring.

In their first competitive match since December 14 of the previous year and under the leadership of coach Thomas Letsch, Salzburg got off to an ambitious start. With Hendry Blank making his first appearance since October 6 in place of Kamil Piatkowski, who was not fit for 90 minutes, the defense stood firm in the early stages and did not allow the Real stars to come into their own.

Mozart's side were bold going forward, winning the ball a few times in attacking pressing and also created the first chance of the game - Oscar Gloukh shot just wide of the far corner (10'). But then the Whites showed their class.

During a transition, Vinicius Junior passed to Jude Bellingham, who unintentionally passed to Rodrygo, and the Brazilian scored with a direct shot against the run of goalkeeper Janis Blaswich. Four minutes later, Vinicius Junior shot well over the bar from a good position before the Madrilenians struck again. Rodrygo, this time on the left, played the ball to Bellingham, the Englishman crossed into the path of the Brazilian, who finished with an equally impressive shot into the far corner.

Serious mistake by Blaswich
Nevertheless, Salzburg showed no sign of frustration and kept looking for ways forward - despite the lack of real chances. However, a self-delay immediately after the break ended the last hopes of the visitors, who were accompanied by 4,500 supporters, of a surprise at the Estadio Bernabeu, which was packed with around 75,000 fans.

Blaswich went into a dribble with Mbappe without need, lost the ball and allowed the Frenchman to score his 51st Champions League goal. As a result, the 2018 world champion passed his compatriot Thierry Henry and is now eighth in the all-time scoring list. Real had an easy game from this point on at the latest. Luka Modric sent on Vinicius Junior, who passed Amar Dedic and, with his classic run inside, also picked out Samson Baidoo before beating Blaswich.

Alaba also makes CL comeback
The game now had the character of a better test match, and one of the few remaining highlights was Alaba's substitution in the 64th minute. The ÖFB star, who had made his comeback against Las Palmas in the league on Sunday after a 13-month injury layoff, made his first Champions League appearance since December 12, 2023 (3-2 at Union Berlin).

David Alaba

(Bild: GEPA)

Blaswich first prevented the fifth goal when he saved from Brahim Diaz (74'), only to be denied three minutes later. Federico Valverde was able to march unhindered towards the penalty area and set up Vinicius, who easily rolled in to make it 5:0. Bidstrup did at least manage to make up for it: after Dedic crossed the ball into the goal, he ensured that Salzburg have now scored in at least two of their seven CL matches so far this season.

The former champions face Atletico Madrid at home in a week's time in their final top flight match. At national level, the season will kick off on February 2 with the Cup quarter-final at LASK.