Leipzig's Baumgartner Believes the Team Can Advance Despite Third Loss

RB Leipzig has suffered three losses in four games—yet Christoph Baumgartner remains confident the team will advance in the Champions League. “I’m convinced we have the quality. We’re not stupid—we can do the math—but we can’t afford many more slip-ups. Still, I believe in us, in the team, and in our quality,” said Christoph Baumgartner after the bitter 2-3 home loss to Manchester City. 

At the “midpoint” of the league season, he appeals to the team: “We all have to step up. A little more cleverness and even more courage—then I’m convinced we’ll pick up more points.” 

Demichelis on an Emotional Roller Coaster

Coach Martín Demichelis was on an emotional roller coaster. Sad after the loss, yet proud of his team’s performance. “The whole team’s approach was the right one. I’m proud of our guys; we deserved more than one point. I congratulated the guys today on how they played defensively,” said the Argentine. 

In Leipzig’s fourth Champions League appearance, City striker Erling Haaland also ended RB’s previously flawless home streak of five consecutive competitive wins without conceding a single goal. “It’s always important to have him in the game—he can score at any moment,” said Manchester’s coach Enzo Maresca, adding, “I’m happy with the three points; it’s always difficult in the Champions League in Germany.”

Haaland there at the right moment

Although Haaland was “effectively taken out of the game by us” for almost the entire match (Baumgartner), the Norwegian still managed to score the winning goal in the 78th minute. “I had to wait for the right moment, and I scored,” he said. The captain, however, was critical of the team’s performance: “We need to work on showing more determination once we take the lead and not let up the way we did today.”