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Leipzig senses its chance: Liverpool lost six of the last seven Premier League matches, while the Germans celebrated eight straight Bundesliga and Cup victories. However, Leipzig did not want to attach great importance to all this in advance.
“We are not interested in Liverpool’s league results, because we are currently the losers of the match. That’s why we are not the favorites, but the challengers, ”said RB coach Julian Nagelsmann. Due to German travel restrictions, the game will be replayed in Budapest. Liverpool won there three weeks ago.
Nagelsmann can understand that Liverpool are going through a difficult time. “But they will handle it, the players are too good for that, and the coach even more so,” the 33-year-old said of compatriot Jürgen Klopp. After Joachim Löws Aus’s announcement after the European Championship on Tuesday, he immediately came into play as a successor. Klopp saw his team challenged not only by his own misery. “Leipzig is currently in the Bundesliga,” said the German. “They won’t give up just because they are 2-0 down.”
Facts that cheer Leipzig
Two facts should give Leipzig courage. On the one hand, Liverpool’s two goals in the first leg were the result of blackouts. On the other hand, RB has found his game again offensively, scoring eleven goals in the last four games.
Marcel Sabitzer could also be back in the Champions League semi-finalist last season. The captain missed the 3-0 win in Freiburg at the weekend due to calf problems, but was on the plane to Budapest. The Austria international will also be motivated after his fatal error before 0: 1 in the first leg.
Difficult task for Barcelona
In the second lap of the lap, Barcelona faces an almost impossible task. Paris Saint-Germain clearly won the first leg at the Camp Nou after a gala performance by Kylian Mbappé. For the French, the lack of superstar Neymar doesn’t seem to matter either. The Brazilian will also miss the second leg due to an adductor injury, but has resumed training, PSG said.
French fans only feared another major relapse, as they had already experienced. Almost exactly four years ago, Barcelona expelled the Parisians from the competition after a legendary 6-1 in the second leg. Now PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino pointed out that his team was “on the fringes” of the past. “If you focus on the past, you limit your options for the future,” said the Argentine. “In soccer, only conviction brings you closer to victory,” he said.
President Laporta as a motivator
In Barcelona, the election of Joan Laporta as the new club boss ensured a bit of relaxation at the club. The old and new president immediately announced that he was hoping Lionel Messi would remain loyal to Barcelona. PSG in particular should reportedly put a lot of effort into the services of the star, who will not be released in the summer.
Before the trip to Paris, Laporta is said to have acted as a motivator during a visit to the cabin. “I believe in a comeback and I know you are capable of it,” he is said to have given the professionals. Barça will need at least four goals to be able to turn things around. Too much offensive spirit could also be extremely dangerous against the speedy Mbappé.
