Breitenreiter: “There are no excuses, we want to win”

André Breitenreiter on…

…the in-form visitors from Leipzig:

“RB have a high-quality team that has been very well assembled and has rediscovered its former strength following the change of coaches. Leipzig have represented Germany outstandingly on the international stage and are one of the best 16 teams in Europe – one must congratulate them on that. They won very comfortably against Donetsk, that was a remarkable performance. You could see that RB are a team with many good individual players, who also work excellently as a team. But we want to showcase ourselves in front of our own fans and make life as difficult as possible for Leipzig. We were a little disappointed after the game in Cologne – but our ambitions are big and so they should be.”

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…on the scenario heading into this clash between two table neighbours:

“Every game in the Bundesliga is very hard-fought, not only the matches against direct rivals in the table. Leipzig are stable, controlled and play very coherently, but we’re at home and we don’t want to surrender by any means. I’m fully convinced by my team; the absences won’t change that either. There are no excuses, we want to win. We’ll play to do so, but for that we’ll also need the fans and their support – so that we can ultimately celebrate the three points together in front of the stands.”

…Angeliño, who joined TSG in the summer from Leipzig:

“He’s a very good guy and has already settled in very well. I can already dispel the rumour that he behaves like a diva – if, for example, he doesn’t play or is substituted. That has already happened with us too – but as is the case with every other player, it’s a question of communication. He can be very funny, and we want to see even more of his qualities, especially in terms of finishing, because we’re convinced that he can develop further and be more of a goal threat.”

…the team spirit at TSG:

“We have a team that works together in a very harmonious way. There are no cliques; every player is integrated and included. That is in part attributable to our fantastic senior players, who offer assistance in difficult situations and organise activities together off the pitch too. I support this 100% and believe that this is not always possible to such an extent at this level given all the egos in this business. For me, the good atmosphere and the familiar way of dealing with each other is the most important foundation for being successful. When there’s a good atmosphere, everyone likes coming to work. I don’t only have this impression about the TSG team, but about the entire club.”

The personnel situation:

Ozan Kabak is suspended following his dismissal in Cologne. Kevin Vogt has not yet managed to complete a training session this week and is also looking likely to miss out. The list of definite absentees includes Benjamin Hübner (fitness training), Ihlas Bebou (knee injury), Munas Dabbur (shoulder injury) and Luca Philipp (finger injury). “If Kevin Vogt misses out, Eduardo Quaresma could make the team. He performed impressively in Cologne and has absolutely earned the right to play,” declared Breitenreiter.

The opposition’s form:

Leipzig beat Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday evening and earned themselves a place in the knockout stages of the competition in the process. RB recently won 2-0 against Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, having previously beaten Real Madrid 3-2.

Head-to-head record:

RB Leipzig have the better record, having won half their previous 12 meetings with TSG, who only have three victories. But the last clash between the teams at the PreZero Arena bodes well. Around a year ago, Hoffenheim beat Leipzig 2-0 thanks to goals from Diadie Samassékou and Munas Dabbur.

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