Leipzig have played their worst first half since their promotion to the Bundesliga. However, coach Domenico Tedesco sees positive signs of a turnaround before the end of the year against Arminia Bielefeld.
At 1:1 in Augsburg, the Saxons once again showed a problem that has been a common thread throughout the season so far: Despite several great chances, it was simply not enough for RB to win. “We had five really good chances in the first half, and three in the second,” Tedesco listed at the press conference ahead of Saturday’s home game against Arminia Bielefeld. “Three great chances per half in Augsburg, that has to be enough.”
Yet the 36-year-old does not see a fundamental offensive problem at RB: “After all, there is no striker who has a charging problem,” he said, citing the example of André Silva, who has scored three goals in the past three games. Especially as the draw in Augsburg was not only due to a lack of chances, but also the “lack of will to completely defend a lead at the end and want the win. “
In total, Tedesco said he had seen “three good halves” in the two games in which he sat on the Leipzig bench. “The direction is right”,he was optimistic: “I’m confident that it will get better from week to week.” Preferably against Bielefeld – though he warned against measuring the penultimate team purely by their league position. “In terms of running performance they are first, in terms of intense runs they are also right up there,” Tedesco said. Especially as Arminia have shown character, which for him can be seen in the results: “They never actually let themselves get slaughtered.” Tedesco therefore expects an opponent who is “extremely unpleasant to play against. “
Laimer missing – Haidara in squad
He will have to do without Konrad Laimer, who suffered a ligament injury in his ankle in Augsburg. On the other hand, he can once again rely on Amadou Haidara. The Malian is “in good shape” after his ankle injury and will definitely be in the squad. “We’ll have to see if he starts,” said Tedesco, adding that Haidara “hasn’t played for several weeks.
