RasenBallsport Leipzig can look forward to a record crowd at today’s DFB Cup semi-final (8.45 p.m., ServusTV, ARD, Sky) against Union Berlin. The Bundesliga third, who is considered the title favorite in this competition after the early failure of FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, reports a sold-out house.
The converted Red Bull Arena now offers space for 47,069 fans. The expectations of the Saxons, who have picked up speed after the separation from ex-Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch, are correspondingly high. Domenico Tedesco is a real guarantee of success on the command bridge, he also led the “Red Bulls” to the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Leipzig has been unbeaten since February 5 (2-3 in Munich), twelve of their last 16 competitive games have been won and four ended in a draw. This is also thanks to midfield motor Konrad Laimer, who is very popular with many top clubs after recent outstanding performances.
The 24-year-old’s contract expires in the summer of 2023. In the case of a summer transfer, a reasonably handsome transfer fee would still be lucrative.
Farewell to the Empire?
Laimer’s market value is estimated at 26 million euros by the internet portal transfermarkt.at. An extension of the engagement in the Red Bull empire, to which the 20-time ÖFB team player has belonged since his youth (Akademie, Liefering, Salzburg, Leipzig), is currently not an issue.
Big clubs are lining up. According to Sky information, Dortmund should not only be interested in Laimer, but also in Xaver Schlager from St. Valentin (VfL Wolfsburg, 24 years, contract until 2023, market value 27 million). Florian Grillitsch (TSG Hoffenheim, 26, contract expiring in the summer, market value 16 million) is also associated with the black and yellow.
Laimer should also have other options. For example FC Bayern, who on Saturday (6.30 p.m., Sky) can crown themselves as champions for the tenth time in a row in the Bundesliga hit against Dortmund. The record champion is facing an upheaval. Coach Julian Nagelsmann knows what he has in Laimer. The Salzburger was his protégé in Leipzig times together.
“Konrad is a monster ball conquering machine,” the trainer once said about the six, who is not only strong in one-on-one combat and top running, but also has a powerful shot. This season there are five goals and four assists.
Arsenal are looking for Sabitzer
Laimer could replace Marcel Sabitzer in Munich. The 28-year-old from Wels is still waiting for his breakthrough after moving from RB Leipzig on August 30, 2021. Starting eleven appearances are a rarity, Sabitzer has only scored one goal and not prepared one. That’s not enough for the high demands at Bayern.
According to “Football London”, Sabitzer, who signed until June 2025, is an issue at Arsenal who are looking for a versatile midfielder.
And what is ÖFB team striker Sasa Kalajdzic (Stuttgart) doing? For him, the Bayern rumor is “a huge honor”. Let’s see if more comes out. (Alex)
Source: Nachrichten
