As of: 01/20/2023 3:07 p.m
Football fans are hoping for an exciting restart of the Bundesliga. RB Leipzig could contribute to this with a win against Bayern. But if Munich wins, there is a risk of going it alone to the title again.
Record national player Lothar Matthäus commits himself. “It’s just one game, yes, but a very special one: if Bayern wins, they become champions. If Bayern don’t win or even lose, then Leipzig will be there,” said the 61-year-old record national player in an interview with “Kicker” about the title fight.
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann knows that too. He attaches great importance to the top game for the restart of the Bundesliga on Friday (January 20, 2023) with the pursuer. “It’s an important game, also in terms of the table,” said Nagelsmann. The people of Leipzig are “certainly a main competitor for the championship” and have also been “undefeated for ages”. The league leaders from Munich have a six-point lead over coach Marco Rose’s team before the 16th matchday.
Nagelsmann: “Not decisive, but good cushion”
“If we win the game, it’s not completely groundbreaking or decisive, but nine points would be a good cushion on such a good team,” said Nagelsmann about the third-placed team. In the event of a defeat, Bayern Munich would be “much more under pressure”.
Leipzig hopes for Werner
The people of Leipzig rely primarily on Timo Werner. After his syndesmosis, two months out through injury and missing the World Cup, the Germany striker is eager for the top duel with Bayern.
For the restart, Werner got in shape during the dress rehearsal against the Czech club FK Mlada Boleslav – he scored an immediate goal in the 4-0 win. It was important “that I could play again after the injury,” said Werner. Even if the 26-year-old wasn’t at “100 percent” yet, he felt “ready to play against Bayern”.
Leipzig wants to increase the pressure
And Werner is quite self-confident with a view to the eagerly awaited summit meeting. “What you can say: With a win, we increase the pressure on Bayern, especially since there is still the second half of the game,” he told “Sport Bild”. The game was “pointing the way”, with Werner also warning: “But consistency afterwards is even more important than beating Bayern. The championship will be decided in the games against the opponents, who have completely different concerns.”
Given the injury to top striker Christopher Nkunku, it was “particularly important that Timo is there,” said Rose. Because after his return from Chelsea in the summer, Werner found his game better and better after a slow start, before his injury he scored more often. Werner has now scored nine goals and four assists in 16 competitive games since returning to Leipzig.
Rose warns against high spirits
Rose has warned his team not to be too cocky. “It’s important that there’s no classic exchange of blows, because then Bayern’s counterattack strength and pace come into play,” explained the 46-year-old. To win, you need “a top performance, a courageous performance and a little luck at the right moment”.
Summer change official
It remains to be seen whether Werner will also score against Bayern. The Munich team clarified their problem in the goalkeeping position just in time for the top game and signed the Swiss international goalkeeper Yann Sommer from Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, it is not yet clear whether Sommer will be in the box against the Saxons.
The alternative in the Bayern goal is Sven Ulreich. “At the end of the day there will be someone in goal. I don’t care who. We try to shoot left and right,” said Rose.
Source: sportschau.de