Storm warning at RB Leipzig!

Looking at the Bundesliga rankings, we could say that RB Leipzig's situation is at first glance rather satisfactory. The German club is 2nd, certainly already 5 lengths behind Bayern Munich, i.e. within the passage times for qualification for the Champions League next May. This involves broadening the focus to the Champions League, the German Cup and the game played on the pitch. The last week before the international break was terrible between defeats against a direct competitor in Germany, Borussia Dortmund (2-1), and in Glasgow against Celtic in C1 (3-1). The draw at home last Saturday against Gladbach (0-0) was nothing to cheer about either.

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According to information from Bildmanagement is even asking questions about the future of its coach, Marco Rose. Discussions have taken place in recent hours internally wondering if the 48-year-old technician was still the man for the job. We particularly deplore the quality of play practiced and certain precepts which do not correspond to the philosophy announced during the meetings at the start of the season. Rose focused on more constructed phases of play, also slower, as opposed to pressing, speed and transition football as has been the case in recent years. Some of his ideas are questioned, including by certain players.

Marco Rose in the hot seat

Management would also get tired of a culture of excuses that is too intrusive on days of disappointment. The post-match draw against Gladbach is the latest example. “We now have 21 points and are in second place in the standings, so we can't complain about thatdeclared the coach in the interview area, satisfied with the performance of his players. The second half was extremely solid with confidence, energy and intensity.» The figures and the general observation are nevertheless stubborn. The RBL found almost no situations (only 0.88 xG over the entire match), putting an end to a bad week, which risks leaving its mark.

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The defeat in the Champions League against Celtic did not go unnoticed by management. It almost condemns the club, currently 30th in the C1 ranking with one victory for three losses, to achieve a flawless performance while Inter, Aston Villa, Sporting CP and Sturm Graz present themselves. Even the athlete's boss, Marcel Schäfer, felt obliged to speak out last Sunday. “It was a bad week compared to our expectations. We didn't get results and our way of playing is not the way we want to show on the pitch. We have big ambitions for ourselves. So there’s no way you can settle for a week like that.”

Schäfer : «We have confidence in our team and our coaching staff, but of course we also have to keep our promises»

He concluded his intervention with Sport1 by a warning to everyone, players and technical staff alike. “We must defend and play with determination. We have clear RB DNA, but we're failing to put it on the field at the moment, we're playing crosswise instead of going forward, and we're losing the ball too often. We have confidence in our team and our coaching staff, but of course we also have to keep our promises.» In Rose's defense, many important elements (Xavi Simons, Raum, Schlager, Lukeba, Geertruida) have experienced more or less long periods of injuries but the time is no longer for excuses. Jürgen Klopp may have more work than expected…