It’s time for matchday 9 in the Bundesliga!
RB Leipzig host 1. FC Köln at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday (18:30 CEST). Head coach Marco Rose spoke to the media ahead of the game about our next opponents, our balanced squad and his friend Steffen Baumgart.
Squad update
- Everyone aside from the injured Willi Orban and El Chadaille Bitshiabu is available to play against Köln.
A look at the opposition
Read all about Köln
Marco Rose on…
…Benny Henrichs
- “Benjamin Henrichs missed the Germany games during the last international break due to a muscle injury. It was due to his workload, which is why we took him off quite early on against Darmstadt and Crvena zvezda. He also had to be careful in the week after getting an early booking. We simply didn’t want to take any risks there.”
…opponents Köln
- “Steffen Baumgart are somewhat easy to predict. We know what to expect when it comes to their formation, style of play and intensity. They are a tough team to face, they build up lots of pressure. It will be an intense and open game, with lots of hectic periods.
We will have to defend counter-attacks better than we did on Wednesday. We’ve got the chance tomorrow to do a few things better.”
…Xavi’s workload
- “Xavi is really important for us. As a result, I’m not yet sure if tomorrow is the right game to leave him out for. We know we obviously need to look after him. That’s why he came off before the end against both Darmstadt and Crvena zvezda. He’s in good shape at the moment. We’ll talk to one another and see what’s best. I imagine he’ll want to be on the pitch again tomorrow though!”
He’s had a fantastic season so far.
Marco Rose on…
…THE DYNAMIC WITHIN THE SQUAD
- “We’ve been able to agree to several important contract extensions with key players recently. We also have some players that are just now entering into their prime as footballers, as well as our youngsters. For example, we were able to bring in Castello Jr., a young player that is performing incredibly well at the minute. There might also be games which he is able to learn something from. Overall, I think we have a very balanced mix of ages in our squad.
The team handle a lot of things amongst themselves. The older players are there to support the younger ones, they talk a lot amongst each other and analyse certain situations. We complement each other well and communicate well internally.”
…DEFENDING COUNTERATTACKS
- “I don’t know of any specific statistics and can’t say whether we are susceptible to being beaten on the counter. However, it was clear against Crvena zvezda that we were struggling a bit in this area. They kept putting us under pressure, which led to us pushing up too far and leaving Kevin Kampl on his own in the middle.
These errors in our positioning came from us wanting to do too much. Against Köln, it will be important for us to move the ball well in the middle and to win the ball back from our opponents.”
…HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH STEFFEN BAUMGART
- “He’s a very emotional guy. As mentioned, we’re good friends and are happy to share the points. I’m always glad to see him. Whenever we play against each other, we both want our teams to come out on top. That’s why we’re not really focused on what the other is doing during the game.
I remember one time in Dortmund, I slipped and fell near the end of the game and he couldn’t stop laughing. We get on very well both on and off the pitch.”