Champions League
“Warrior mentality” as the key to Leipzig’s winning streak
Leipzig’s coach Marco Rose in the stadium. photo
© Jan Woitas/dpa
RB Leipzig has undergone a major upheaval. Despite the many young newcomers, the team appears extremely mature. This also meant the perfect start to the Champions League.
The success in Bern not only takes the pressure off the team with a view to the next game against defending champions Manchester City. It was also the fourth win in a row and an important building block in continuing the winning streak on Saturday at Borussia Mönchengladbach. “We defend the goal well and have quality going forward. The win helps a lot until the guys we’re missing come back,” said Rose.
Leipzig benefits from new arrivals
Captain Willi Orban will be out for more than two months with a torn knee ligament. Spanish international Dani Olmo is currently unable to train with a bruised knee. It is unclear how long the offensive player, who is being courted by top clubs, will be out. He won’t be there in Mönchengladbach.
In addition, there is the departure of the four regular employees Christopher Nkunku, Konrad Laimer, Josko Gvardiol and Dominik Szoboszlai. Leipzig is currently benefiting from the fact that the new additions are performing at a high level. Xavi Simons, who is only 20 years old, sets the pace on the offensive, while Castello Lukeba, who is the same age, represents Orban in central defense.
“We have played very maturely in the last few weeks,” said veteran Emil Forsberg. The 31-year-old sees confidence in his own abilities as the key: “We don’t stress ourselves out, we just try to implement the things the coach tells us.” In Bern, after a modest first half, it worked through a self-cleaning process. “It got loud among each other. Everyone talked about what wasn’t right. Then we went out and marched,” said midfielder Xaver Schlager.