Bundesliga
Rose back to ex after real disappointment: Borussia is waiting
Despite his resignation at the end of January due to mental exhaustion, Eberl is still employed by Gladbach until 2026. photo
© Uwe Anspach/dpa
Zero points and bottom of group in the Champions League. Despite the good performance, RB Leipzig has to cope with a defeat. In the league, the next ex-club is already waiting for coach Marco Rose.
After the avoidable defeat at Real Madrid, the next unpleasant business trip is already waiting for RB Leipzig’s new coach Marco Rose.
At his ex-club Borussia Mönchengladbach, the soul of the fans is still injured after Rose said goodbye to Dortmund last year with an exit clause. And as if the ex’s return wasn’t explosive enough for the Bundesliga duel on Saturday (6:30 p.m. / Sky), the cause of Max Eberl is now added.
Eberl before engagement as head of sports at RB
The manager retired from his post in Gladbach at the end of January due to mental fatigue, but will now hire the upstart, who is highly unpopular in Gladbach. On Thursday, the “Kicker” reported that Eberl is to take up his duties as head of sports with extensive competencies on January 1st. There is still disagreement between the two clubs about the transfer fee for Eberl, who is bound until 2026, which should be around five million euros.
The change to Leipzig should only be announced after the duel on Saturday. A logical step in order not to offend the little amused Gladbach fan scene again. This was once noticed with badly insulting posters against Ralf Rangnick. Now some followers settled in an open letter with Eberl. The 48-year-old was even accused of lying.
The sporting part takes a back seat. Because RB boss Oliver Mintzlaff had also announced talks with Mönchengladbach for the coming days about a possible commitment from Eberl.
In the premier class, RB is there with zero points in Group F due to the false start with the 1: 4 debacle against Donetsk and the 0: 2 in Madrid. Ground also needs to be made up in the league. Rose makes no excuses. “We still have a day less to prepare against Gladbach. But we won’t change our approach, even if it costs Körner,” said the coach.
Gulacsi: “We have to step on the gas”
Rose is forced to rotate more due to the high load. Xaver Schlager will probably get a break against Gladbach, and the well-rested Josko Gvardiol should also join the team in defence. However, the game idea should remain.
“We won’t want to play any differently there,” said RB captain Peter Gulacsi, adding: “Again with a lot of energy, we have fresh people who haven’t played that much. We also have to empty the tank on Saturday. Like that we have to step on the gas as long as we can.” According to the Hungarian keeper, RB “has a lot to make up for in the league too. We started against Dortmund and will continue against Gladbach.”
Nevertheless, the mood of the people of Leipzig in the catacombs of the traditional Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was crushed. The insufficient exploitation of chances by the guests prevented a point from being won. “But we will take a lot from this game,” assured RB director Emil Forsberg. Real was more callous. Two strong actions by Fede Valverde (80th minute) and Marco Asensio (90th + 1) were enough for the defending champion.