RB Leipzig on the brink: Champions League bankruptcy shocks fans and boss!

RB Leipzig on the brink: Champions League bankruptcy shocks fans and boss!

RB Leipzig suffered another painful defeat in the UEFA Champions League. After the 2:3 (1:0) against the Italian record champions Juventus Turin, the club is in penultimate place in the preliminary round with zero points from two games. Red Bull boss Oliver Mintzlaff was disappointed when he went to the players' dressing room immediately after the game. “He was of course disappointed, like all of us,” explained head coach Marco Rose in an initial statement.

The expectations for RB Leipzig are high, but the reality is currently different. Despite an appealing performance, the team made crucial mistakes that led to the loss of a possible victory. Sports director Rouven Schröder emphasized: “At this level we have to do everything right until the end, we couldn’t do that today.”

The game in detail

Benjamin Sesko initially gave Leipzig the lead with two goals, but the joy didn't last long. Juventus equalized twice through Dušan Vlahović and ultimately secured victory when substitute Francisco Conceicao scored in the 83rd minute. Even the superiority in personnel after a red card for Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio did not bring Leipzig the turnaround they had hoped for. "We had the opponent on the hook, but in the Champions League you can't afford anything. It's a hard learning for us," summed up Rose. "You have zero points and six games left. At some point you have to start scoring."

These words were spoken immediately after the game and they reflect the urgency with which Leipzig must act this season. The team has the potential, as Rose emphasizes, but the implementation on the pitch remains questionable.

Within the club

In the internal discussions, Mintzlaff and Rose seem to be pulling together, even if there may be differences of opinion about how the situation is perceived. "Oliver Mintzlaff and I want to play the same, successful football. We'll give everything to that end and we'll work together to tweak all the cogs," said Rose. The coach pointed out that positive steps are needed to improve the situation. “We have to get to a point where we feel like we can win and take three points,” he added.

The discussion about the strategic direction of RB Leipzig is still present. Mintzlaff explained that the top clubs in Europe simply have other options when it comes to closing the “gap to the top”. At the same time, Rose sees the development of his young talents as an ongoing process. “Here they are allowed to make mistakes and develop further,” he explained. It is clear that despite the difficulties at the moment, the long-term goals of development and growth are the focus.

In order to put the club on the road to success in the long term, both the youth talents and the experienced players must show more consistent performances. Linking pressure to perform and development is the key to a stable future for Leipzig in the Champions League.

For further developments and information about the situation at RB Leipzig you can the report on www.shz.de consult.