Exclusive: Frans Krätzig Reveals Positives from RB Salzburg’s Club World Cup Campaign

RB Salzburg midfielder Frans Kratzig believes the team's experience at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be vital for the club throughout the 2025-26 season.

The Austrian top-flight side was among the 12 European teams that competed in the expanded global showpiece held in the United States, but they were unable to progress far in the tournament.

Thomas Letsch’s men opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Mexican side Pachuca, followed by a goalless draw against Saudi team Al Hilal in their second match.

However, a 3-0 defeat to star-studded Spanish elite division side Real Madrid in Philadelphia saw them exit the tournament at the group stage.

WORLD CUP EXPERIENCE

In his post-tournament assessment, the German youth international expressed pride in his team’s performance and believes the lessons learned will be invaluable as they gear up for the upcoming campaign.

"We’ve learned a great deal from this competition, having faced some of the best teams in the world," he told SportsBoom.com.

"Competing at such a high level has been a valuable experience for us. Throughout the tournament, we had a mix of results (a win, a loss, and a draw) and each match taught us something different."

"What we take away from this is more than just results; it’s the experience, the growth, and the lessons that will serve us well moving into the new season. There’s a lot to improve on, but also plenty to build on."

The former Bayern Munich prodigy Kratzig played a crucial role in RB Salzburg’s World Cup campaign, featuring in all three games and accruing a total of 268 minutes on the pitch.

WHERE SALZBURG COULD HAVE DONE BETTER

Although proud of the experience gained, Kratzig acknowledges there were areas where his team could have improved to progress further in the 32-team tournament.

He continued: "We should have scored more goals, and that’s something we’ll need to reflect on."

"Against Al Hilal, we defended well for most of the game, and unfortunately, that shifted the momentum away from us before losing to a strong Real Madrid team."

"It wasn’t the result we were hoping for, and we were disappointed not to have progressed to the next round."

"We played three matches, and although we didn’t progress, the quality of our performances was clear in every game."

"We have to evaluate our performance, learn from our mistakes, and continue to grow as a team. Sometimes, setbacks are necessary steps on the path to growth."

"I’m proud of the team because everyone gave their all, and that commitment shows the potential we have."

RB Salzburg endured a somewhat underwhelming 2024–25 season, finishing second in the Austrian Bundesliga behind champions Sturm Graz. 

They also exited the Austrian Cup in the quarter-finals and failed to progress beyond the group stage of the Champions League. 

Nevertheless, Kratzig feels the upcoming season presents a fresh opportunity as the 17-time Austrian champions look to bounce back stronger.

"Every new season offers a fresh start. We've welcomed new players into the squad, while others have moved on," he noted.

"What matters is how we continue to build as a team. There are plenty of positives to take from this (Club World Cup) experience. We’ll regroup, refocus, and come back stronger."