Coach Ralf Rangnick of RB Leipzig sees his team for the top game of the Bundesliga on Saturday (15.30 o’clock/Sky) against Bayern Munich in the psychological advantage.
“The Bavarians have to score three points if they don’t want to depend on Dortmund’s results, and we don’t have to, but we want to, really want to play this game,” said the coach.
However, his team needs a “courageous appearance” to be able to stand up to the German record champion. “We want to get the best possible performance against the Bavarians on the pitch. We already managed that once,” the 61-year-old recalled the victory in the previous season.
Two weeks after the Bundesliga hit, the Saxons will also meet the series champion in the DFB Cup final. “A good result in the league can have an effect on the cup final,” said Rangnick, who can almost draw on the full staff. Kevin Kampl is not locked, Konrad Laimer got a slight bruise in training, but should be fit on Saturday.
The two Champions League games this week have shown that it is possible to get to the goal from an outsider role, emphasised Rangnick, who also paid special attention to Bavaria’s attack with top striker Robert Lewandowski in the preparation. “It will be crucial that we allow as few opportunities and balls as possible that he can exploit,” stressed Rangnick and demanded: “We must solve it collectively.
On new speculations about a possible departure from Leipzig, Rangnick said. “I have a two-year contract here and I intend to fulfill it.” About a possible change from Leipzig’s national striker Timo Werner to the Bavarians Rangnick said: “Our position is absolutely unchanged. We do not want to go into the last contract year with Timo Werner without the contract having been extended beforehand. I still have that opinion.”
