Demichelis Set for Bundesliga Debut — Goal Prediction for Reitz

Martín Demichelis isn’t interested in Gladbach’s strengths ahead of his Bundesliga debut as coach of RB Leipzig. “I don’t like to talk too much about opponents. The most important thing is us. We have a plan. We’ve done a thorough video analysis, and we’re in shape,” said the Argentine, who will still be without Christopher Baumgartner, Assan Ouédraogo, Romulo, and backup goalkeeper Orjan Nyland this Saturday (3:30 p.m./Sky and RTL). 

Unlike before in the DFB Cup, he doesn’t want to reveal his starting lineup—not even the players know it yet. So it’s also unclear whether new signing Christopher Nkunku will start. “We don’t need to talk about his qualities. He’s ready and has no problems. He’s a player with so much skill on the ball—so intelligent. He just needs to have fun, needs confidence, and needs to find his rhythm,” said Demichelis.

A Special Game for Reitz

For Rocco Reitz, the match against his former club will be a special one. The 24-year-old midfielder, who faced a lot of backlash when his move to Leipzig was announced in April, has recently made great strides in training. Demichelis is aware of the sensitivity of the situation. “It often happens in soccer that you play against your former club. If he plays and gets on the field, he has to score a goal—it’s that simple,” said the head coach with a smile.

In April, Gladbach fans protested against their own captain, who had been wearing the Gladbach jersey since he was seven years old. “Anyone who wants this here can never be our captain,” the fans wrote on a banner and booed their own captain with whistles every time he touched the ball during the 0–1 loss in Leipzig.

That really got to Reitz. “It doesn’t just pass you by without leaving a mark.” Now he’s looking forward to seeing the guys, “because I wasn’t really able to say goodbye to everyone,” Reitz said a few weeks ago. His farewell with the Foals wasn’t possible at the time due to an infection.