After the fifth competitive game in a row without a win, RB Leipzig is looking for a way out of the crisis. The leading players Willi Orban and Peter Gulacsi demonstratively stand in front of coach Marco Rose. Trend-setting home games now follow.
As is well known, hope dies last, and true to this motto, Leipzig coach Marco Rose did not give up on the play-offs in the Champions League even after the fifth defeat. “I believe that with nine points you have a chance of progressing,” said Rose after the deserved 0-1 defeat at Italian champions Inter Milan, which left the Saxons still at zero in the points table. With a view to the next group game in the premier class on December 10th, Rose explained: “Aston Villa will therefore be the first final.”
That may apply to Leipzig’s chances in international competition, but not to Rose’s future at RB Leipzig. After the fifth competitive game in a row without a win, the pressure to succeed is increasing on the 48-year-old, who, however, still knows that the decision-makers in the club and at the top of the group have his back.
However, he is also aware that Leipzig’s sports director Marcel Schäfer and Red Bull’s managing director Oliver Mintzlaff, who is responsible for sports issues, are demanding positive results in the Bundesliga home game on Saturday against VfL Wolfsburg and in the DFB Cup round of 16 against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday .
Rose: “A few things can be explained”
“Of course we have to deliver results,” said Rose, who emphasized in Milan after a very weak first half and an at least decent second half: “I look at our situation in a very differentiated way and don’t want to sugarcoat it at all. A few things can still be explained. ” In fact, the blatant personnel problems in the slim squad are the main reason why RB Leipzig has been struggling for weeks and why the coach’s hands are largely tied when it comes to personnel issues.
Ouedraogo continues the personnel misery – only 13 field players plus Gebel
On Tuesday, the misery continued with the further failure of midfield youngster Assan Ouedraogo (18), who, shortly after being substituted on without any opposition pressure, got his cleats stuck in the grass and sank to the ground. The initial fear that the ten million purchaser, who had just recovered from a lengthy knee injury, had suffered a fatal setback at the same point, was not confirmed after an initial diagnosis. But if the suspicion of a torn muscle fiber in his thigh is confirmed, from a sporting point of view the year will at least be over for Ouedraogo.
For Rose, this means that he only has 13 available professionals for the ten field player positions. There is also homegrown Viggo Gebel (17), who made his Champions League debut in Milan. “The squad is getting smaller and smaller, so we have to get closer and stick together. We have to get the result against Wolfsburg, then at least in the Bundesliga we can change our situation quickly,” demands captain Willi Orban, who is in Milan as well as goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi was “a small step in the right direction”.
Orban’s clear message
The steps against Wolfsburg and Frankfurt should be more visible and successful. “We are far from being proud. But we see what we are capable of doing at the moment, what it takes and what we don’t have right now. I saw a team that fought back and had good phases,” This is the verdict from Rose, who continues to leave a solid impression in his public statements and exudes the conviction that he can force a sporting turnaround: “I have a few values for myself, my family and my friends. I believe in God, I believe in mine Boys, I believe in our path and our club.”
What would be important, of course, is that his starting eleven, which is still quite respectable despite the lack of personnel, would radiate more faith and determination in the upcoming home games than was the case in Milan or in the 3-4 defeat in Hoffenheim. That would be the basic prerequisite for more successful performances than last time.
The leading players demonstratively stand behind Rose, especially the captain. “I think he’s doing it brilliantly and is very focused. He’s trying to concentrate on the content and sensitize us emotionally,” said Orban, adding: “It’s not an easy phase for all of us and it’s the first difficult phase with him. We have to make sure we come out stronger.” Peter Gulacsi also emphasized: “It is a phase in which we have many setbacks. Nevertheless, we have to stick together and find our way.” They are no longer allowed to take many wrong turns.
