Leipzig – Who against Werder Bremen (1:1) who had expected a football festival complete with the sight of a goal from RB Leipzig, was already rubbing his eyes in surprise when he saw the line. RB started with a defensive line of three or five, including the two six Nicolas Seiwald and Amadou Haidara, which means that there are seven other defensive players on the field. The opponent was not Manchester City, but Werder Bremen; never won the Hanseatic League in Leipzig.
As the first half progressed, it became clear that RB explained the system very deeply and allowed them to be pushed deep into their own half. RB gave their opponents the ball and possession in midfield. Probably the weakest half of this season in our own stadium.
Read here: Individual criticism and ratings after the 1-1 draw against Werder
Poulsen: “That had nothing to do with 3-4-2-1 or 4-2-2-2”
At the end of the first 45 minutes and in the second half, it was always possible to see what the plan was and how the final score was 1-1: a move to the high position of Simakan, who served the his players in the middle. But the new system was still vulnerable and full of holes in the middle of the park.
So had coach Marco Rose played with this formation? “We played a different system for a long time, but in the past we also played a different constellation,” said striker Yussuf Poulsen. “That had nothing to do with 3-4-2-1 or 4-2-2-2. We just weren’t calm enough on the ball in the game and we made too many mistakes. “
Read here: Rose attaches terms to contract extension at RB
Rose: “Not fun and bright enough”
In the end, Rose kept to the basic order in slightly modified ways, introducing other players in the second half that explained the system better. “Despite the system change and the many players we lost, I would have expected more energy. With the ball there was too little play and clarity,” criticized the coach.
He also explained his reasons for the change “If we had played with 4-2-2-2, I would have only one attacking player on the bench. But I wanted to feel that we could shoot again and not just react,” explained the 47-year-old.
Without Xavi and Olmo there is a lack of quality
The second reason: “It was clear to us what problems were waiting and lying against three Bremen. We had a lot of new employees, we felt more stable in this constellation.” So also a decision for more security.
It also became clear: Without Dani Olmo and Xavi Simons as well as the fixed point Xaver Schlager – the “leader” of the team according to Rose – the offensive department has no class. “If Olmo and Simons are missing, it’s a different game, a different team,” Rose admitted. “However, we still want to win games. In the first half it was not just because of the lack of automation, a different basic order or the lack of Dani and Xavi, but because of the basic energy that we did not have on the pitch.
Decision against Eljif Elmas
Anyway: The decision to change them was also against Eljif Elmas, who could have played with Baumgartner from the beginning. But it is clear that Rose does not trust Macedonia to be in the starting eleven just yet. “It’s fair to say: He needs some rhythm, you only get that through longer playing time,” said sporting director Schröder. “You can see that he is willing to implement things and that he is creative. With Eljif you can also position yourself even more flexibly.”
