Marco Rose ahead of Saturday’s game against FC Augsburg

Bundesliga matchday 28 is just around the corner, with RB Leipzig hosting FC Augsburg at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday (15:30 CEST).

Ahead of the game, head coach Marco Rose addressed the media and discussed Saturday’s opponents, Josko Gvardiol and the women’s cup semi final on Sunday.

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Team news

• Christopher Nkunku is available again and could feature against Augsburg.
   
• Emil Forsberg (illness) will not be in the matchday squad.
   
• Yussuf Poulsen is also out of the game due to a muscular problem.
   
• The availability of Konrad Laimer(illness) and Mo Simakan(knee) is still in question. A decision will be made after the final training session..
   

The rest of the team news can be found in our team news update.
 

Marco Rose on…

… Team news:

• “Yussi is still out. Christo has been doing well in training. However, it was an injury that alarmed us all. Despite that, recent photos have looked good and he’s trained really well. He’s definitely an option for tomorrow; we just have to decide for how long.”
   

… Christo Nkunku and Dani Olmo:

• “It has an effect on the whole team when Dani and Christo are together on the pitch. They are two absolutely brilliant players and you can feel their presence. It give the team confidence knowing that you have them in your side.

  There are certain players that no team in the world can replace; players who are difference makers. For us, Christo Nkunku and Dani Olmo are two of those players.”
   

… André Silva:

• “André leaves a good impression every day; he’s always there for the team. He works really hard for the team. He’s played a lot of games and obviously he’s not scored the amount of goals he expects of himself. Strikers often go through this kind of phase.

  But he knows that he’ll always have the support of the whole team and that we all have confidence in him. Like a lot of other players, he is an important part of the team and as a result we have nothing to discuss about him.”
   

… Xaver Schlager

• “He was here for the first time yesterday. He was in a good mood, he felt good and he’d worked really well at the APC in Thalgau. We’re hopeful that he might be able to be involved somewhat this season again, but we’re not putting any pressure on it.

  He’ll be integrated more and more on the pitch. We’ll all be pleased, himself included, if he plays again this season but we have to take it week by week and look at what makes sense.”
   

… Josko Gvardiol

• “Josko is very clear-headed. We’re not interested in rumours. Josko always wants to improve, he’s eager and always relaxed. He knows that he still has a few things to work on, but he’s still young and still has a lot of ambitions.

  He’s composed, he’s committed and he’s fully in the here and now. That’s what makes him so good, despite his young age.”
   

… Pete Gulacsi

• “He’s making a good impression. He has used the time really well and arrived back in good condition. He’s really happy to be back with the team and it’s important for us to have our captain with us.

  We just have to look at how things develop in the final weeks of the season, but at the moment we’re not planning to have him involved in any competitive games.”
   

… FC Augsburg:

• “I’m expecting a very uncomfortable opposition. I know Enno (Enrico Maaßen) from last year in Dortmund when he was head coach of the reserves. I know his qualities and I know that he places an emphasis on playing football and positional play.

  Additionally, their defensive approach is uncomfortable because of their high, man-orientated press. We won’t have much time and space and will have to find solutions.

  I think that Augsburg have developed well under Enno and we will have a tough task ahead of us.”
   

… RBL Women’s DFB-Pokal run:

• “I was at the quarterfinal against Essen (6-1). It was really enjoyable and I thought the atmosphere was really good. It was a great game with a fantastic atmosphere and some great goals.

  We wish the women all the best for Sunday. If I can, I’ll also get there to watch. If we can have a joint celebration after two DFB-Pokal wins, nobody would have anything against it.”
   

… The team’s condition ahead of the season run-in:

• “I think we’re in a good position, because Dani Olmo is getting back into rhythm and Christo is coming back. We have a relaxing squad situation.

  We have good foundations in our squad, with a good level of competition and we can also be reactive to what might happen. We’re set up well for the season run-in.”