On the back of draws against Atalanta BC and Sassuolo, some will claim that AC Milan have been far from their best during the opening weeks of their Serie A title defence.
However, Stefano Pioli’s team have outperformed many of their rivals while extending their unbeaten league record to 21 matches, their most recent setback coming all the way back in January.
I Rossoneri also head into this fixture having come through a five-goal thriller with neighbours Inter Milan, battling back from an early deficit to post a 3-2 win.
Rafael Leao, after late speculation regarding his future, netted a double to take him to five goal contributions this season, while Olivier Giroud also chipped in with yet another important strike.
Although Milan have been outstanding on the domestic front over the past 13 months, Piolo is aware that he must deliver on the European stage after their dismal group-stage exit in 2021-22.
Pioli will also understand the challenge which awaits his side with Red Bull Salzburg motivated to move their domestic dominance into continental competition.
The Austrian giants made the breakthrough in the Champions League last season, reaching the last 16 to post a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich in the first round of their knockout tie before being blown away at the Allianz Arena.
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While Matthias Jaissle and his squad deserved huge praise for progressing through a group which featured Lille, Sevilla and Wolfsburg, expectation levels are now higher, particularly with RB Leipzig-bound Benjamin Sesko remaining in the squad for this campaign.
So far in 2022-23, some of his teammates have taken centre stage, but the young Slovenian will relish the opportunity to perform on the biggest stage.
Salzburg head into this encounter on a five-match winning streak in the Bundesliga, keeping clean sheets in their most recent three fixtures.
