"Total Failure" by RB Leipzig: Apology to Fans

After the 1-6 drubbing in the Bundesliga showdown in Munich, frustration runs deep at RB Leipzig. “It was a complete failure on our part in every area,” sports director Marcel Schäfer railed into the Sky microphone after his team’s well-deserved defeat—even by that margin—at the hands of FC Bayern. “You can lose here at the Allianz Arena—we know that, everyone knows that. But not like this!” said coach Martin Demichelis. “The most important thing is to say ‘I’m sorry’ to our fans who drove or flew here.”

The Saxons were so outclassed by the record champions that the club spokesperson mistakenly referred to a 0–6 loss at the start of the press conference and failed to mention the consolation goal scored in stoppage time.

Curiously: Goalkeeper Still Leipzig’s Best Player

Ahead of the next difficult Champions League match on Wednesday at Real Madrid, Demichelis said that one thing, above all, was needed now. “There aren’t many positives to take away from today’s game,” said the former Bayern pro. “That’s why we have to forget everything we did here today as quickly as possible.”

Leipzig was blatantly outclassed by Munich and conceded half a dozen goals from Luis Díaz (12th minute/47th/69th), Aleksandar Pavlovic (26th minute), Michael Olise (34th minute), and Harry Kane (53rd minute). Yet it was RB goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt who was by far the best player on the visiting team, preventing several more goals. The 1–6 goal by substitute Andrija Maksimovic (90+1) was merely a consolation for Leipzig.

A Wake-Up Call Ahead of the Trip to Real Madrid

Schäfer recognized this as well and had to admit: “We were simply completely outclassed in every area; we didn’t stand a chance in any aspect. We had an exceptionally bad day today, and Bayern had a good one to boot. Accordingly, you have to say that conceding six goals was actually a lenient outcome for us.”

The sporting director announced a thorough analysis—also with an eye toward the upcoming challenge in Madrid: “Today we saw—and it was a lesson for us—what it means to truly perform at a world-class or top level at times. And we have a great, great, great deal of work ahead of us.”