Champions League
Respect from Don Carlo: Leipzig is hoping for a sensation at Real
Progressing in Madrid would be a big surprise for RB Leipzig. photo
© Robert Michael/dpa
Progressing in Madrid would be a big surprise for RB Leipzig. The Bundesliga fifth-place team is fighting for its final goals of the season. The enemy has been warned.
For title collector Carlo Ancelotti, the matter is over RB Leipzig is still far from clear. “We have to be careful in the second leg,” the successful Real Madrid coach warned his stars before the decisive round of 16 game on Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN). After the 1-0 win in the first leg, it seems that the Royal team’s progress is only a formality, but the Leipzig team have earned a lot of respect from “Don Carlo”. “Simply a strong opponent” is the Bundesliga fifth-place finisher, said the 64-year-old.
The Leipzig social media representatives boiled down the difficult undertaking for the Spanish football record champions to a simple formula: “All or nothing at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu”. After the early exit as cup defenders in the DFB Cup and already 21 points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, the Saxons are fighting for their last chance of the season for the title.
Leipzig draws confidence from last year’s victory
Success in Madrid would be a huge surprise. But after the recent 4-1 win in Bochum, the RB professionals are encouraging themselves. “That’s how you win disgusting away games, that’s how you can also win in Madrid,” said national player David Raum.
The outsider has known how to beat Real since their 3-2 home win in the group stage last year. RB had also sold themselves dearly at the Bernabéu in the previous season before two brilliant moments from Fede Valverde and Marco Asensio made it 2-0 late on. Even if Marco Rose’s team can achieve a lot with energy, pressing and unity, Real is probably better staffed individually in all positions.
RB minimum target in danger
If the European Cup trip ends in Madrid, the Leipzig team will only have another mission to the premier class. In the Bundesliga, RB is currently one point behind fourth-placed Dortmund, and qualifying for the Champions League again is the club’s top priority. It would be the seventh time in eight seasons. But achieving this minimum goal is also questionable.
Taking part on Europe’s biggest football stage is an absolute must to keep stars like Dani Olmo. The Dutchman Xavi Simons, who trained with the Spaniard Olmo at FC Barcelona’s La Masia training academy, is also attracting interest from other top clubs.
Real star Bellingham with anger in his stomach
The 20-year-old Simons is the third best player in the Champions League with 15 shots on goal and 15 assists in these categories. So far this season, only Johan Bakayoko (21/16) from PSV Eindhoven and Real star Jude Bellingham (16/15) have been better than the loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The England international missed the first leg with an ankle injury and is now back in the Real squad.
“I love him,” Rose recently raved about his former professional from their time together in Dortmund. Bellingham is likely to arrive with anger in his stomach. On Sunday evening, his supposed 3-2 goal in stoppage time at FC Valencia was disallowed because the referee blew the whistle during the cross. Bellingham was also shown a red card for complaining.
In addition to the 20-year-old, the focus will be on national team returnee Toni Kroos. At the first leg, his DFB comeback was still open, but now the mystery has been solved. His work in midfield as Real’s pace-setter should be stopped by Xaver Schlager, who is back in Bochum after his yellow card suspension.