No winner in the top game
Leipzig continues to stumble: Gladbach saves a point at RB
Updated on November 9, 2024 – 8:28 p.mReading time: 2 min.
The Saxons can no longer win at the moment. In the top game against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Leipzig was lucky in the first half – before the game changed fundamentally.
RB Leipzig is in danger of losing touch with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. The Saxons couldn’t get past a 0-0 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Saturday evening game of matchday 10 and are now second in the table, five points behind Bayern, who won 1-0 at FC St. Pauli in the afternoon.
Leipzig has now been without a win for three competitive games: on the last Bundesliga match day, coach Marco Rose’s team suffered a 1:2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund, and then during the week RB lost 1:3 at Celtic in the Champions League Glasgow under.
Rose saw his team have a weak first half against his former club, but at least they kept their streak alive and remained unbeaten in their twelfth home game in a row across the season. The guests had good chances, but didn’t reward themselves. Gladbach also missed a win in Leipzig at the ninth attempt – and has been waiting for two league threes in a row since August 2022.
Guest coach Gerardo Seoane’s team started with a lot of self-confidence, pressed Leipzig high and had the first good opportunity with Rocco Reitz’s header (9th). RB keeper Peter Gulacsi made strong saves – as did Tim Kleindienst (22′) and Marvin Friedrich (24′). Shortly before the break, Franck Honorat failed to hit the crossbar after a counterattack (43′).
Rose appeared dissatisfied, gesticulated a lot and paced up and down in the coaching area. Leipzig, usually one of the best counter-attacking teams in the league, didn’t get up to speed at all, instead making a lot of bad passes and small fouls. The favorite’s best opportunity in the first half came from Gladbach: Joseph Scally deflected a harmless pass from Antonio Nusa almost into his own goal (36′). It was only in stoppage time that guest keeper Moritz Nicolas was able to distinguish himself after a header from Christoph Baumgartner (45th + 1).
Leipzig came out of the locker room improved, but without being particularly compelling. Whistles kept ringing through the Red Bull Arena. It was more by chance that Baumgartner had a great opportunity to take the lead from eleven meters, but once again the winner was Nicolas (64′).
Time.news Interview with Football Analyst Dr. Sophie Keller
Time.news Editor: Good evening, Dr. Keller! Thanks for joining us today to discuss the recent match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach. It seems like Leipzig is struggling at the moment. What’s your overall assessment of their performance in the top game?
Dr. Sophie Keller: Thank you for having me! Yes, Leipzig’s current form is a cause for concern. They failed to secure a win against Gladbach, which is particularly troubling given their aspirations in the Bundesliga. The 0-0 draw at home represents missed opportunities and highlights ongoing issues within the team.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned missed opportunities. In what ways did Leipzig struggle during the match, especially in that crucial first half?
Dr. Sophie Keller: In the first half, Leipzig seemed disjointed. They lacked the attacking fluidity and creativity that we typically expect from them. It was almost as if they were playing in a shell, and Gladbach took advantage of this. Although Leipzig’s defense held strong, they didn’t maintain possession effectively, which limited their chances. Coach Marco Rose pointed this out as an issue worth addressing.
Time.news Editor: Rose’s comments suggest a need for tactical adjustments. Given that they’re now five points behind Bayern Munich, what do you think he should focus on in training this week?
Dr. Sophie Keller: Absolutely, tactical adjustments are essential. First, boosting their midfield presence to enhance ball control is critical. Leipzig needs to find a way to create space for their forwards and increase the pace of their attacks. Additionally, they must work on their mental resilience, especially after conceding goals in previous matches. Confidence is key for a team struggling to win.
Time.news Editor: There’s also the matter of Leipzig’s recent defeats prior to this draw — struggling against Borussia Dortmund and losing to Celtic in the Champions League. How do these results affect their morale?
Dr. Sophie Keller: Losing can significantly impact player morale. It’s a snowball effect; doubt creeps in when a team fails to perform. Leipzig has shown they can hold their ground defensively – evidenced by their unbeaten home streak. However, they must translate that defensive stability into offensive pressure. They need to remind themselves that they’re still competitive at high levels of football.
Time.news Editor: Gladbach came close to securing a win in this match. What do you think they did right in their performance?
Dr. Sophie Keller: Gladbach displayed determination and tactical discipline. Their defensive line was solid, and they counter-attacked effectively, creating several scoring chances. Their goalkeeper Nicolás made crucial saves, preventing Leipzig from finding the back of the net. It’s commendable that they held their own against a team like Leipzig, especially in their former coach’s stadium.
Time.news Editor: Lastly, what do you foresee for the rest of Leipzig’s season? Can they regain their momentum?
Dr. Sophie Keller: It’s essential for Leipzig to regroup quickly. They have the talent and depth to compete but need to rediscover their confidence and cohesive play. If they can turn this frustration into motivation, they might still contest for the title. The Bundesliga is unpredictable, and with several matches still to go, anything can happen.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Keller, for your insights! It’s apparent that while Leipzig is facing challenges, there’s still potential for recovery. We’ll keep an eye on their progress as the season unfolds.
Dr. Sophie Keller: Thank you for having me! It will be interesting to see how they respond in the coming weeks.