The impressive third place in the Eredivisie did not yield FC Twente a tangible prize, but it did yield a bonus in the form of the preliminary rounds of the Champions League. In order to qualify for the renewed main tournament, the Tukkers must survive two rounds. RB Salzburg is the first opponent in Austria on Thursday!
RB Salzburg – FC Twente
Champions League preliminary round
August 6, 2024, 8:45 PM
Red Bull Arena, Salzburg (Oos)
Just six years ago, FC Twente was in deep trouble. Eight years after the absolute highlight, the national title of 2010, the Tukkers were relegated to the Keuken Kampioen Divisie as a result of years of financial mismanagement. A dark future loomed, but Twente managed to return to the Eredivisie immediately. Under the leadership of Ron Jans, the connection with the sub-top was steadily found again, under Joseph Oosting the next step to the top followed. For the first time since 2014, Twente finished in the top 3 again.
Back then, ten years ago, that ranking earned them a place in the preliminary rounds of the Europa League. In 2024, a return to the highest stage beckons: the Champions League. On that stage stood The Pride of the East once, after the championship in 2010. In 2008, 2009 and 2011 the preliminary rounds of the billion-dollar ball were reached, but Arsenal, Sporting Portugal and Benfica kept Twente out of the Champions League.
Thirteen years after the elimination against Benfica, another chance follows. Just like FC Twente, RB Salzburg also flows into the third preliminary round. That it does so in the non-champion route is remarkable. Last season, Salzburg failed to become champions of Austria for the first time in eleven (!) years. The poor results cost coach Gerhard Struber his job in April. The club hired Pepijn Lijnders as successor to the Austrian. The Dutch coach had been – apart from a short stint as head coach of NEC – the loyal assistant of Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool since 2015.
FC Twente lost captain Robin Pröpper in the run-up to the match against Salzburg. The defender left for Rangers. Striker Sam Lammers made the transfer from the Scottish club to Enschede. Lammers fills the gap left by Myron Boadu, who returned to AS Monaco after his loan period. Lammers is expected to start in the starting line-up in Austria on Tuesday, alongside Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who has taken over the captain’s armband from Pröpper.
TOTO Prediction
FC Twente starts the two-match series with the dethroned Austrian champions as underdogs. At Salzburg, Karim Konaté is the absolute star player. The 20-year-old Ivorian striker was the top scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and was immediately on target again at the start of the competition last weekend. RB Salzburg narrowly won a goal-rich duel against promoted Grazer AK. After 18 minutes of play, the score was already 2-2, Salzburg eventually won 2-3. These are results that are typical for this time of year. It is not uncommon for teams to not be completely attuned to each other, resulting in many goals. Take the Johan Cruijff Shield, for example. Or FC Twente’s Europa League preliminary round match at Fenerbahce last season. After half an hour of play, the score was 1-1, the Tukkers had a huge chance to make it 1-2, but – after a red card for Daan Rots just before half-time – the Turks won 5-1. We are also going for a high-scoring first half in the match in Salzburg, with both teams scoring!
WEDTIP
Both teams to score in first half > 4.00
Where can you watch RB Salzburg – FC Twente on TV?
ZIGGO has the broadcasting rights for all European tournaments this season. The match between RB Salzburg and FC Twente will be broadcast on ZIGGO Sport. You can watch the match on channel 14 if you have a ZIGGO subscription, or via the ZIGGO Go app.
Please note: quoted odds are subject to change.
Photo: Pro Shots
