Star shopping is in the air: It’s getting tight for RB coach Marsch


Star shopping is in the air
It’s getting tight for RB coach Marsch

Jesse Marsch is a product of the RB school. But the pressure is growing. Is the American even threatened with dismissal? It’s not that far yet. But points have to be found in Cologne. Otherwise it will be tight for him. The Rhineland still has great respect for last year’s runner-up.

You don’t notice Jesse Marsch that it’s sporty at RB Leipzig right now. The new coach of the Bundesliga runner-up is emphatically optimistic even after three defeats in four games and the 3-6 dismantling in the Champions League at Manchester City. “We believe in our process,” said Marsch before the game at 1. FC Köln on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m. / Sky). However, this process should be slowly visible in the results.

Marsch is well aware of this situation. “Against Cologne we have to fight and win and then find more and more rhythm in the season,” said the 47-year-old and demanded from his players what are often called the good old virtues. “In difficult moments you have to run and fight a little more. It’s not just about tactical things, it has to do with will.”

Star newcomer does not work yet

The sporting management of the club is still willing to give the coach public cover. “We have a new head coach, of whom we are proud and who we have deliberately signed up,” said CEO Oliver Mintzlaff. They are convinced of the coach and continue on the path, “knowing full well that there is pressure to qualify for the Champions League this season too”.

For that, RB would have to slowly start catching up. The goals in this should shoot the intended André Silva. After all, almost 25 million euros were paid for the Portuguese in the summer. But the tech-savvy striker still lacks a bond with the game, he is rarely staged.

What also makes it tricky for Marsch is that Silva is not necessarily predestined for the fast switching preferred by the coach. “André is not just a switch player. He’s clever, he’s good in the penalty area and has good footballing quality,” said Marsch. Ultimately, he will need Silva’s goals to save his own job in case of doubt.

Leipzig is still great for Baumgart

Cologne’s Steffen Baumgart will not be dazzled by RB Leipzig’s opening failure in the Champions League before the game. “This is not the game that is relevant for the Bundesliga,” said the 49-year-old on Thursday to make it 3: 6 for his colleague’s team at Manchester City. He didn’t follow the game either, just “saw the goals. I had a nice evening in other company,” said Baumgart.

For the new Cologne coach, Leipzig is “one of the best that the Bundesliga has to offer”. But Leipzig is under march after three defeats in the first four games – including the most recent 1: 4 against FC Bayern – only in the lower half of the table. Cologne, on the other hand, took seven points from the first four games and only narrowly lost 3-2 in Munich.

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