FC Bayern Munich is set to kick off the new calendar year with a preseason friendly against Red Bull Salzburg, scheduled for January 6, 2025, at 18:00. This match will serve as the first and only test for the German record champions before they jump back to competitive action in the Bundesliga.
The squad from Munich is coming off their winter break, taking on the Austrian club, which is experiencing its challenges this season. Following the recent struggles, Salzburg’s coach Pep Lijnders, who was previously instrumental under Jürgen Klopp, was replaced by Thomas Letsch, former manager of Bochum, as the squad tries to regain foothold.
This friendly matchup gains additional intrigue as it marks the return of Konrad Laimer to his former club. The 27-year-old midfielder, who was with Salzburg from 2007 to 2017, will bring his maturity and experience back to the club where he developed his talent. It will be his first visit to the Red Bull Arena since his departure, adding personal excitement along with the competitive atmosphere.
The broadcast options for the match vary between countries. For fans in Germany, it will not be available on free television, but exclusively through "FC Bayern TV Plus," available for stream by subscription. The subscription starts at four euros and will offer things like highlights and full replays immediately after the game. Meanwhile, Austrian fans can catch the action on ServusTV, with coverage starting at 17:50, featuring discussions led by moderator Christian Baier and expert Florian Klein. Marcel Wanits will commentate the event, with Julia Kienast reporting from the sidelines, providing viewers with exclusive access to the match atmosphere.
The two clubs have met previously on four occasions at the competitive level, with Bayern enjoying dominance. The history shows one thing: Salzburg has yet to claim victory against the Bavarians, with Bayern winning three of the matches, and the fourth resulting in a draw. Notably, the last competitive meeting was during the Round of 16 of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League, where the first leg ended 1-1, but Bayern triumphed decisively with a 7-1 win at home.
Today’s match serves not only as preparation for Bayern but also as a potential reinvigoration of Salzburg's tactics under their new manager. With both clubs harboring aspirations for this season, the friendly game promises to be more than just another kickabout; it's about strategy, positioning, and player performance.
With the Bundesliga resuming soon, Bayern Munich's performance against Red Bull Salzburg will be closely watched by fans expecting to gauge their team's form heading back to league play. The outcome of this match may give some key insights about the season’s prospects for each side.