Leipzig Coach After Another Loss: “We’re Staying Calm”

RB Leipzig’s sporting director, Marcel Schäfer, has called for patience with new coach Martín Demichelis and the Bundesliga club’s team following two consecutive losses. “The last two results don’t meet our standards—we know that, and we’re not trying to sugarcoat it. We’re addressing this very clearly internally,” said the 42-year-old in a statement posted by RB Leipzig on its website.

“At the same time, we’re staying calm, focused, and standing together as a club. That goes for all staff members, the team, and the entire coaching staff. Everyone has our support and our trust,” said Schäfer. RB suffered disappointing losses last weekend in Bremen (1–3) and on Thursday evening in the Champions League in Como (1–4). 

A win against HSV is practically a must

Demichelis, who has been in charge at RB for just over two months, is already under considerable pressure from the public and the fans. A win in the Bundesliga on Sunday against last-place Hamburger SV is practically a must.

Schäfer, whose transfer policy has at times been viewed critically, pointed to the many changes made over the summer. “A newly assembled team needs time to gel and develop its systems. That’s the reality,” he said. “Now it’s about drawing the right conclusions together, continuing to work hard, and steering our development in the right direction in the coming weeks.”