In the battle for the Champions League, Ole Werner now sees RB Leipzig in the decisive phase. "It's important that we focus completely on ourselves in these games. We have a phase of the season ahead of us in which everything is at stake, and that applies to every club. The teams that stick to their guns and take developmental steps in this phase will end up where they want to be," said the RB head coach ahead of the clash at table-topping neighbors VfB Stuttgart this Sunday (7:30 p.m./DAZN).
He expects a high-intensity game. It doesn't matter that the Swabians have little time to recover after the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie against FC Porto (1:2). "Stuttgart are used to this rhythm. It will be a fast-paced game either way, if only because of the style of play of both teams," said Werner, who can once again rely on Xaver Schlager, who was recently absent due to adductor problems.
"He increases our power in central midfield," said Werner. RB have not won in Stuttgart since January 15, 2022 (2-0). Since then, there have been three defeats and one draw, including in the DFB Cup. "These are two teams that are not only on an equal footing in terms of points, but are also relatively close in all key figures," said the 37-year-old Werner.
