For coach Marco Rose of Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, participation in the Champions League is not a matter of course. Even though the Saxons have reached the top flight six times in seven years in their young history, it is not a foregone conclusion. "For many, it's probably taken for granted that we'll reach the Champions League. But unfortunately, I have to give people the benefit of the doubt. It's something extraordinary, something special to reach this competition," said Rose on Friday ahead of the Bundesliga match at SC Freiburg on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky).
RB are in fifth place ahead of the 28th matchday, three points behind fourth place, which is crucial for qualification for the top flight. A win in Breisgau is therefore a must for the Saxons.
Rose pointed out that although they are one of the top four teams in the Bundesliga, there are teams every year that perform exceptionally over the course of the season. Rose cited the examples of 1. FC Union Berlin last season and VfB Stuttgart at the moment.
