Leipzig wants to avoid "turbulent game" in Cottbus

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

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."