Leipzig's Professionals Grabble with Frustration After Setback
The players of RB Leipzig felt dejected following another challenging setback. "We're disheartened and infuriated, all directing blame at ourselves," stated goalkeeper Janis Blaswich following the 2-0 loss to FSV Mainz 05 at the foot of the Bundesliga table. Following their title defense exit in the cup, Leipzig find themselves at risk of falling behind leading teams Bayer Leverkusen and FC Bayern. "I can't find the words. It's heart-wrenching for us. It's been a terrible week for us," explained Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager.
During the week, they faced defeat in the cup at VfL Wolfsburg. On Saturday, Schlager seemed drained and disoriented. When inquired about the challenges against less-formidable Bundesliga teams, Schlager replied, "It's transparent; you just need to clinch those grueling victories. We can't pull it off at the moment. That's the difference."
Last season's cup champions endured similar setbacks, including a drop of points against VfL Bochum. They currently trail Leverkusen by eight points and champion Bayern by six points. Coach Marco Rose conveyed similar feelings of dissatisfaction.
Leipzig's woes in the Bundesliga continued as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against struggling FSV Mainz 05, further widening the gap between themselves and the league's top teams. Schlager lamented their inability to secure victories against less-prominent opponents, which he identified as a distinguishing factor.
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Tactical Analysis
Despite their overall strong record of 9 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses, putting them 5th in the Bundesliga table, Leipzig has experienced difficulty against weaker teams. This could be due to several factors:
- Consistency: Leipzig exhibits a balance of wins, draws, and losses, showcasing inconsistency, particularly in away matches.
- Defensive Weaknesses: While Leipzig maintains a solid defensive record, they concede more goals away from home (1.8 per match) compared to at home (1.22 per match).
- Team Cohesion: League competition and performance pressure might affect team dynamics and focus against lesser opponents, lowering their collective performance.
- Tactical Flexibility: Adjusting strategies to better suit weaker opponents' strengths and weaknesses could help Leipzig improve their performance against them.
By taking these factors into account, Xaver Schlager likely highlighted a potential lack of focus and tactical cohesion that may give weaker teams an opening to capitalize on. To enhance their performances, Leipzig must devote attention to consistency, dynamic teamwork, and tailored tactical strategies.
