RB Leipzig only runs behind Manchester City for half a time. Then the coach hits the right note during the break – and in the end even a win would have been deserved.
Marco Rose did not want to give his exact choice of words. The dynamic of his half-time speech, on the other hand, is. “It was semi-loud. Started quietly, got a little loud, quieter again – then really loud,” said the RB Leipzig coach. It was apparently just the right volume level, because after a bad first half, Leipzig fought back in the Champions League round of 16 first leg against Manchester City 1-1.
The feeling for the second leg on March 14 should therefore be excellent, especially since a Leipzig victory would have been anything but undeserved. “We have a draw now. When you know you’re going to City, you’d rather have it 3-0 to feel better,” said Rose.
Forsberg: “Showed our true colors”
What is perhaps more valuable than the result is the impression left by its players. They allowed themselves to be shown over long distances for half-time and were rightly behind when Riyad Mahrez scored. “Of course, 26 percent possession at the break is abysmal,” emphasized the coach and finally praised: “But we showed a good reaction. The second half was really good.”
The highlight of the reaction was Josko Gvardiol’s equalization after a corner. In terms of chances, Benjamin Henrichs could have scored. “We showed our true colors,” said playmaker Emil Forsberg. “It wasn’t enough, we knew that ourselves. Then we put more pressure on, had more intensity and control.” In two weeks it must “go straight in this direction”.
Nkunku probably fit again for the second leg
Forsberg confirmed that it got loud in the dressing room at half-time, but not hectic. The Swedish international was unable to say whether collecting during the break was the reason for the turnaround. “You always get the question, but it’s difficult to explain. Something wasn’t right. Then you wake up during the break, go out, feel more relaxed, have more ball security. Maybe you feel like you have nothing to lose,” said the 31-year-old.
Manchester’s Etihad Stadium is back to square one in two weeks. In September 2021, in the only Leipzig guest appearance with the English champions so far, they offered a spectacular 3: 6 – but had no chance. Christopher Nkunku scored three goals there. The Frenchman should be physically ready for the second leg to play from the start. In the first leg on Wednesday it was only enough for a short appearance after a long injury break.
Source: Stern
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