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DPA
Lisbon
RB Leipzig believe that the straight knock-out format of this year’s Champions League finals could suit them more than their quarter-final opponents Atletico Madrid, and said they will be able to adequately replace departed forward Timo Werner.
Leipzig are debutants in the knock-out stages of the elite event while Atletico are three-time finalists.
Owing to the coronavirus the Champions League is completed as a mini-tournament in Lisbon, with the quarters and semis played in one leg instead of two matches.
“Atletico have more experience but that means more in two legs than in one. Their experience won’t mean as much as it normally does,” coach Julian Nagelsmann told a virtual news conference on the eve of Thursday’s match.
“We will play with courage and play our game,” he added. “It will be a big challenge for which we are however prepared. I am convinced that we will play a very good match.” Nagelsmann would not reveal who would take the place of the Germany forward Werner who was Leipzig’s top scorer but has already left for his new club Chelsea.
“It is important to note that we won’t be playing with one man less and we can replace him with a good player,” Nagelsmann said.
“We had players who played less when Timo was there. We have the option to replace him and have the necessary attacking power. They have the chance to step up and score goals.”
Yussuf Poulsen or Patrik Schick appear the most likely options and Nagelsmann said that full-back Marcel Halstenberg could also return from back problems.
Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi meanwhile spoke of “a special game” for the Leipzig club which was only founded in 2009 and reached the Bundesliga in 2016.
“Many of us have been here for four or five years and have taken this path. It is an opportunity to present ourselves on the international stage. We have confidence and hope to advance,” he said.
Nagelsmann did not want to speculate on a possible all-German final against Bayern Munich but noted that a team can go far with fewer games than in the past - and that he is personally prepared to stay until August 23.
“I have enough clothes with me to change them daily until the final,” Nagelsmann said.
After scoring 34 times last season, including four in the Champions League, Germany striker Werner quit Leipzig to sign for Premier League side Chelsea in June.
Despite permission from Chelsea, Werner turned down the chance to play for Leipzig in the quarter-finals in order to focus on settling into life in London.
Leipzig were only founded in 2009 and are in the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the first time.
After beating Tottenham in the last 16, they are eager to extend their run under ambitious head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Despite being just 26, Poulsen has spent seven years at Leipzig and has come up with them from Germany’s third division to Europe’s top table.
The Denmark international has scored 63 goals and created 51 more in 250 appearances for the club from Germany’s east.
He has the distinction of being the first Leipzig player to score a Bundesliga hat-trick, doing so against Hertha Berlin in March 2019.
Now, after weeks of uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic between February’s last-16 win and the quarter-final, Poulsen said the Germans are ready to face an experienced Atletico side.
Title aspirations
“We’re all really looking forward to the game,” said
the Dane.
“We’ve worked hard for it and we’re happy that we can finish it.
“There were times when that wasn’t certain, so it’s a great feeling to be in Lisbon.
“Once you’re there, you must have the determination to go all the way to the final and the title.”
Under Diego Simeone, Atletico are hunting their first Champions League title after losing the 2014 and 2016 finals to arch-rivals Real Madrid.
“Those responsible have been doing a very good job at Atletico for many years,” said Poulsen.
“Of course Atletico is the favourite, we are more the underdog. We’re in the Champions League quarter finals for the first time, they’ve always been fully involved for the last eight, ten years.
“But, of course, we have a chance and we believe we do.”
Under Nagelsmann, RB Leipzig play a brand of attacking football and big things are expected from their talented Spanish attacking midfielder Daniel Olmo, a product of Barcelona’s youth academy.
Lisbon
RB Leipzig believe that the straight knock-out format of this year’s Champions League finals could suit them more than their quarter-final opponents Atletico Madrid, and said they will be able to adequately replace departed forward Timo Werner.
Leipzig are debutants in the knock-out stages of the elite event while Atletico are three-time finalists.
Owing to the coronavirus the Champions League is completed as a mini-tournament in Lisbon, with the quarters and semis played in one leg instead of two matches.
“Atletico have more experience but that means more in two legs than in one. Their experience won’t mean as much as it normally does,” coach Julian Nagelsmann told a virtual news conference on the eve of Thursday’s match.
“We will play with courage and play our game,” he added. “It will be a big challenge for which we are however prepared. I am convinced that we will play a very good match.” Nagelsmann would not reveal who would take the place of the Germany forward Werner who was Leipzig’s top scorer but has already left for his new club Chelsea.
“It is important to note that we won’t be playing with one man less and we can replace him with a good player,” Nagelsmann said.
“We had players who played less when Timo was there. We have the option to replace him and have the necessary attacking power. They have the chance to step up and score goals.”
Yussuf Poulsen or Patrik Schick appear the most likely options and Nagelsmann said that full-back Marcel Halstenberg could also return from back problems.
Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi meanwhile spoke of “a special game” for the Leipzig club which was only founded in 2009 and reached the Bundesliga in 2016.
“Many of us have been here for four or five years and have taken this path. It is an opportunity to present ourselves on the international stage. We have confidence and hope to advance,” he said.
Nagelsmann did not want to speculate on a possible all-German final against Bayern Munich but noted that a team can go far with fewer games than in the past - and that he is personally prepared to stay until August 23.
“I have enough clothes with me to change them daily until the final,” Nagelsmann said.
After scoring 34 times last season, including four in the Champions League, Germany striker Werner quit Leipzig to sign for Premier League side Chelsea in June.
Despite permission from Chelsea, Werner turned down the chance to play for Leipzig in the quarter-finals in order to focus on settling into life in London.
Leipzig were only founded in 2009 and are in the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the first time.
After beating Tottenham in the last 16, they are eager to extend their run under ambitious head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Despite being just 26, Poulsen has spent seven years at Leipzig and has come up with them from Germany’s third division to Europe’s top table.
The Denmark international has scored 63 goals and created 51 more in 250 appearances for the club from Germany’s east.
He has the distinction of being the first Leipzig player to score a Bundesliga hat-trick, doing so against Hertha Berlin in March 2019.
Now, after weeks of uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic between February’s last-16 win and the quarter-final, Poulsen said the Germans are ready to face an experienced Atletico side.
Title aspirations
“We’re all really looking forward to the game,” said
the Dane.
“We’ve worked hard for it and we’re happy that we can finish it.
“There were times when that wasn’t certain, so it’s a great feeling to be in Lisbon.
“Once you’re there, you must have the determination to go all the way to the final and the title.”
Under Diego Simeone, Atletico are hunting their first Champions League title after losing the 2014 and 2016 finals to arch-rivals Real Madrid.
“Those responsible have been doing a very good job at Atletico for many years,” said Poulsen.
“Of course Atletico is the favourite, we are more the underdog. We’re in the Champions League quarter finals for the first time, they’ve always been fully involved for the last eight, ten years.
“But, of course, we have a chance and we believe we do.”
Under Nagelsmann, RB Leipzig play a brand of attacking football and big things are expected from their talented Spanish attacking midfielder Daniel Olmo, a product of Barcelona’s youth academy.
