Breitenreiter: "This team is a unit"

André Breitenreiter on…

…the game in Leipzig: ''It's a different competition, and we have the chance to make it to the quarter-finals. Recent results mean we're far from favourites going into the game, but that would have been the situation against Leipzig in any case. We're going to prepare really well and go all out for the win. The most important thing is that we play as a team and show the same desire as we have done in our recent games.''

… RB Leipzig: ''They have really excelled since changing coach. Since Marco Rose has been in the job, they're on top across all statistical metrics. If they keep up in the same vein then they'll be in the running for the title. But our job tomorrow is to stop them reaching the next round of the cup.''

…the chances of a win: ''You need the necessary slice of luck to avoid conceding goals each time the opposition attack. We need to concentrate on our own game. I feel a certain energy in the group, which is so important in phases like this. Everyone wants to work hard to turn things around. If it takes a cup game, which we're going into as huge underdogs, well that would make a nice story.'' 

…the current situation: ''The only time I've gone through a phase like this was in Hannover. There is more mental pressure when you're not getting results. But it also makes for an exciting challenge. These are the situations you learn the most from. The most important thing is that you keep your head up and, as a coach, go out there and make it clear that you know the team can turn things around. You shouldn't act detached and you also shouldn't come down on your players like a tonne of bricks. It's always important to have a good atmosphere, because only then can you perform well. The team are full of desire to address our problems and make improvements.''

…the goals conceded: ''We're not conceding goals when we keep a tight shape and press high up the pitch. It's happening when we give the ball away in transition or make simple mistakes. That's RB Leipzig's greatest strength. If we lose the ball cheaply then they'll make us pay. It's vital that we show the right desire so that it's clear to everyone that we're playing as a unit out on the pitch. Because that's what this team is.''

…the injured players: ''It is noticeable that all teams have several players out with muscular problems at the moment. With us, it's mainly the players who couldn't train because they had the flu or a cold. Unfortunately, stuff like this happens when you play a lot of high-intensity games in a short period of time, but that's not something that's unique to TSG.''

… Thomas Delaney: ''We are all happy to have another experienced player joining us, who has shown at his previous clubs that he can take on a leadership role. We will know after the final training session to what extent he can play a part tomorrow.''

The personnel situation:

In addition to the long-term absentees Jacob Bruun Larsen and Grischa Prömel, the trio of Kevin Vogt, Robert Skov and Angelo Stiller are also still sidelined. Pavel Kadeřábek and Dennis Geiger round out the list of unavailable players.

Head-to-head record:

History favours RB Leipzig. The Saxons have won eight of the previous 14 meetings between the two sides, with TSG winning three of these encounters. The two teams have faced off once before in the DFB-Pokal: a 2-0 win for Leipzig back in October 2018. 

The opposition's form:

Leipzig have picked up seven points from their first three games in the new year. After the 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich, the Saxons won 6-1 away to Schalke and 2-1 at home to Stuttgart. Their last defeat in a competitive match was on 17 September.

Match facts and statistics »