RB Leipzig's Sporting Director, Rouven Schröder, Confirms Ambitious Approach Against Real Madrid
Facing Real Madrid in the Champions League isn't intimidating RB Leipzig's sporting director, Rouven Schröder. Despite Madrid being one of the world's biggest football clubs, Schröder maintains that the German side will maintain their ambition and not be overwhelmed by their opposition. "As an ambitious opponent, we will make life difficult for them and not be awestruck," said the 48-year-old.
Last year's group stage encounter between the two teams saw Leipzig come out on top at home, securing a 3-2 victory after suffering a 2-0 defeat in Madrid. Despite Madrid's illustrious history and incredible squad, Schröder admits that the German team will face a challenging but exciting battle.
The Champions League round of sixteen starts in February, with the first legs scheduled for the 13th, 14th, 20th, and 21st. As runners-up in their group, Leipzig will host the first leg at home. The exact dates for their matches have yet to be confirmed by UEFA.
RB's official Facebook page and Swiss-based platform X will continue providing updates and news to their fans throughout the competition.
Insights
Recent Performances
- RB Leipzig: The German team has shown consistent performance in the 2023-2024 season, particularly in the Champions League. They boast victories over Napoli and Shakhtar Donetsk.
- Real Madrid: The Spanish team has also been impressive, though they've had some close matches in the group stage.
Historical Data
- Head-to-Head: While RB Leipzig doesn't have much direct history against Real Madrid, their performances in previous seasons suggest they can compete against top-tier teams.
- Real Madrid's Form: Madrid has a rich history of success in the Champions League, accumulating 14 titles and a strong home record.
Important Factors
- Defensive Solidity: RB Leipzig must prevent Real Madrid from scoring early and take advantage of counter-attacks.
- Counter-Attacking: A quick transition between teams can catch Real Madrid off-guard and create scoring opportunities for Leipzig.
- Set Pieces: Defending against Real Madrid's strong record in converting corners and free kicks into goals is crucial.
- Team Cohesion: Maintaining a high level of discipline and intensity is important to frustrate Real Madrid throughout the game.
RB Leipzig's Chances
While Real Madrid is the clear favorite, Leipzig can still pull off an upset if they execute their strategy perfectly and capitalize on Real Madrid's mistakes.
Observations
Rouven Schröder's considered approach to the Champions League encounter and RB Leipzig's past performances against Real Madrid show that they are well-prepared and confident for the challenge ahead. Although Madrid has the historical advantage and stronger squad, RB Leipzig can still cause an upset with a tactically sound game plan and team cohesion.
