Cottbus expert Werner wants to avoid stress with RB

Energie coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz promises a fight. Cottbus expert Ole Werner, on the other hand, would like to avoid any major stress with RB Leipzig in the cup match at the third division club. "The aim is not to allow a turbulent game. I've played there with Bremen, we're facing a passionate opponent," said the RB head coach ahead of the second-round match this Tuesday (20:45/Sky) at the Lausitzers and emphasized: "We won't underestimate the leaders of the third division."

Goalkeeper change at RB

After the convincing 6-0 win in Augsburg, Werner has no setbacks in terms of personnel, but one change has already been made. Belgian Maarten Vandevoordt will be in goal for Peter Gulacsi. "We'll handle it the same way as in Sandhausen. He's training well and played his part in us progressing to the next round. That's why he deserves to be back between the posts," said Werner, who has the best experience with Cottbus.

In the previous season, he won 3-1 with Werder Bremen in the first round before the Hanseatic side went all the way to the quarter-finals. The 37-year-old coach also played with Bremen at the LEAG Energie Stadion in 2022 and won 2:1, so the new RB coach knows how important it is. "A knockout game at the leaders of the third division is anything but easy. Nevertheless, we're sticking to our guns, want to put in a decent performance, prepare as best we can and be ready for anything."

Fears for Energie goalscorer

After the 4:3 win against promoted TSV Havelse, which also took them to the top of the table, Cottbus are worried about striker Erik Engelhardt. After a foul in the 73rd minute, he suffered pain in his hip and later had to be substituted. Tolcay Cigerci was also sidelined for a little longer with a damaged ankle. The loss of both attackers would be hard to cope with against RB, with Engelhardt alone scoring seven goals in the last six games.

Coach Wollitz was at odds with his defense after the three goals conceded by the previously winless promoted team. "If we carry on where we left off today, then the game will be over relatively quickly," he said in view of Leipzig's attacking power. He therefore tried to talk up his team. "They can say what they like. It will be a battle," promised the 60-year-old Energie coach.

Cottbus still unbeaten at home

In addition, Leipzig's 4-3-3 system suits Wollitz. "They play a good system, actually my favorite system," he said, demanding that the third-division club "hold out to get a cup thriller on Tuesday night if possible".

The Lusatians are still unbeaten at home this season. Energie knocked out second-division side Hannover in the first round of the cup. Energie have also won the cup and made it to the final in 1996/1997, where they lost 2-0 to VfB Stuttgart. In 2010/2011, they only reached the semi-finals, losing 2-1 to MSV Duisburg. This is the first second-round home game since 2010 and the LEAG Energie Stadion has been sold out for weeks with 22,528 fans.