Football.co.uk's Joe Strange gives you the lowdown on Manchester City's Europa League opponents Red Bull Salzburg.
- Red Bull Salzburg v Manchester City LIVE from 7.45pm / Champions League results
History
Formed as SV Austria Salzburg in 1933, the club was bought by global corporation Red Bull in 2005. They were renamed Red Bull Salzburg shortly after, changing their club colours from the traditional violet and white to red and white.
The current champions of Austria's Bundesliga, Salzburg have won the competition a total of six times since first lifting the trophy in 1993. Die Bullen have also experienced relative success in Europe, finishing as runners up in the 1994 UEFA Cup.
The Boss
Despite having only been at the club since July of last year, Huub Stevens endeared himself to the fans by winning the Austrian Bundesliga at the first attempt.
Former Hamburg and PSV boss Stevens has an excellent record in Europe's second most prestigious club competition, having won the old UEFA Cup as manager of Shalke in 1997.
As a player the Dutchman turned out for just two clubs - Fortuna Sittard and Dutch giants PSV, for whom he made 293 appearances.
Preparation
Red Bull Salzburg have endured a torrid start to their domestic campaign as they look to retain their Austrian Bundesliga title. Just five points from their opening five games sees them third from bottom of the league and 11 points off top-spot.
Despite their poor start they remain unbeaten at home and will probably look to employ a 4-5-1 formation to negate the threat of Carlos Tevez and co.
Danger Man
Manager Stevens looks certain to start with Argetine striker Gonzalo Zarate up-front on his own tonight.
The 26-year-old forward only signed for the club earlier this year and is yet to produce the sort of form which saw him score him score 22 goals in 65 games at former club Grasshoppers.
Trivia
Angered by Red Bull's takeover of the club in 2005, a section of supporters decided to set up their own club to preserve the traditions of SV Austria Salzburg.
They successfully registered their new club under the original name and began life in the bottom tier of Austrian football. After four consecutive promotions they now find themselves in the Regionalliga West, just two divisions below Red Bull Salzburg.
Source: DSG
