Injury-hit Milan head to Salzburg needing a reaction
Red Bull Salzburg welcome AC Milan to the Red Bull Arena on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in the second round of the Europa League league phase. The two clubs went in opposite directions on matchday one: Salzburg won 1-0 at Levski Sofia, while Milan lost 2-0 at home to Benfica. Kick-off is at 18:45, with Romanian referee Horațiu Feșnic in charge.
“Die nächste schwere Aufgabe gegen eine gute Mannschaft, das nehmen wir gerne an.” – Salzburg manager Danny Röhl
Predicted lineups: Salzburg vs Milan
Salzburg are without Veratschnig, Diabaté and Aguilar, and there is a question mark over goalkeeper Zawieschitzky, who missed the weekend with an adductor problem. Florian Früchtl deputised at GAK. Milan have two fresh problems: Matteo Gabbia suffered a hamstring tear at Sassuolo and is out until 2027, while Alexis Saelemaekers needs surgery on his ankle. With Atalanta to come on Sunday, Rúben Amorim is expected to shuffle his side, with Cissè, Musah and Bartesaghi in contention.
Red Bull Salzburg Team News & Preview
Salzburg are second in the Austrian Bundesliga with 18 points from eight games, three behind Rapid Wien, and their defensive numbers stand out: four goals conceded in eight league matches. Röhl’s side are unbeaten in 15 competitive games since he took over, and they beat Sturm Graz 3-0 in their last home league game.
Saturday’s 0-0 at Grazer AK was not a good performance, though. GAK hit the woodwork three times and Röhl, who had made seven changes, admitted afterwards that his team had not deserved more than a point. Karim Konaté leads the way with four league goals, ahead of Haris Tabaković on three, and the pair are the main reason Salzburg are dangerous late in games.
What works for or against Salzburg
- Only four goals conceded in eight league games.
- Unbeaten in 15 competitive games under Röhl.
- Lucky to get a 0-0 at GAK, who hit the woodwork three times.
- Goalkeeper Zawieschitzky is a doubt with an adductor problem.
AC Milan Team News & Preview
Milan are fifth in Serie A with 12 points and still unbeaten in the league, but three of their last four league games have ended level: 1-1 at Juventus, 2-2 at Lazio and 1-1 at Sassuolo on Sunday. At the Mapei Stadium, Rabiot gave them the lead after an hour, only for Sassuolo to equalise from a corner five minutes later. Amorim was blunt afterwards: “Non possiamo permetterci di subire gol da calcio d’angolo.”
The 2-0 home defeat by Benfica on matchday one means Amorim has now lost his last two Europa League games, after the 2025 final with Manchester United. Losing Gabbia weakens a defence that has been solid in Serie A (five conceded in six games), and the trip to Atalanta on Sunday makes heavy rotation likely.
What works for or against Milan
- Unbeaten in Serie A with only five goals conceded in six games.
- Gabbia out until 2027, Saelemaekers facing ankle surgery.
- Lost 2-0 at home to Benfica on matchday one.
- Atalanta away on Sunday, so changes are expected.
Salzburg vs Milan Odds
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Salzburg Form, Stats & Data
Salzburg score 2.25 goals and concede half a goal per league game. That defensive record is the foundation of Röhl’s unbeaten run, and with Konaté and Tabaković both in form, they have enough up front to punish a Milan side that will be missing its first-choice centre-back.
AC Milan Form, Stats & Data
Milan are hard to beat in Serie A, but they have not been ruthless: three draws in their last four league games and a home defeat in this competition. Rabiot and Moreira lead the scoring with three each, and the squad depth will be tested with Sunday’s trip to Bergamo in mind.
Salzburg vs Milan: Prediction & Betting Tip
Milan are favourites on name and squad quality, but the details of this fixture favour the hosts. Salzburg have conceded four goals in eight league games, they have not lost under Röhl, and they face a Milan side missing Gabbia and Saelemaekers, with a big league game at Atalanta on Sunday. Milan have also drawn three of their last four league matches, so I am happy to take Salzburg not to lose rather than back them outright.
What worries me is Salzburg’s display at GAK, where they could easily have lost, and Milan’s own defensive record, which is just as good. If Amorim names a strong side and Milan take an early lead, this bet is in trouble. Even so, the combination of Salzburg’s home form and Milan’s injuries and schedule is enough for me.
I am backing Salzburg or Draw (Double Chance) at 1.66 with Winz, and I have it finishing 1-1.