“It could get crazy tomorrow!”
Second round of the DFB-Pokal | Head coach Jesse Marsch speaks at the pre-match press conference ahead of the game in Babelsberg
RB Leipzig’s busy period continues! After a 4-1 win at home to SpVgg Greuther Fürth on Saturday, the Bulls will travel to play SV Babelsberg in the second round of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday at 18:30 CEST.
Jesse Marsch spoke to the media before the game about the squad situation and the match itself.
Jesse Marsch on...
…opponents SV Babelsberg 03:
- “We won’t underestimate Babelsberg, that’s for certain. Emotions play a big role in the DFB-Pokal and the favourites are always tested if they’re not on their game. We’re prepared for a tough opponent and we need to play to our best. We respect Babelsberg because they beat Greuther Fürth and we saw that that’s not easy last weekend ourselves.”
...former Leipzig striker, Daniel Frahn:
- “I know that he played here for a long time and scored lots of goals. He’s still finding the net often in the fourth division and is a big part of their plans. He’s a dangerous man.”
Josep Martínez has trained really well and deserves a chance to play.
…squad rotation:
- “We will definitely have a good team tomorrow. There’s a big chance that Yussi will start the game. Josep Martínez will play tomorrow too. He’s trained really well and deserves a chance to play. This was also the case recently for Hugo Novoa. He’s worked really hard and earned his opportunity. I’m excited for Josep!”
…cup competitions as a coach:
- “My cup campaigns went really well during my time in Salzburg and I also reached the final when I was assistant coach here previously. I’ve only lost once across the last three years as a coach in the cup. I think the most important thing is that we know the importance of the game, regardless of who we are playing.
This competition is important for the whole club. The team needs to understand that things could get a little crazy tomorrow. There’s no VAR and for some Babelsberg players, this will be the game of their lives. We need to get to grips with that.”
…his stance on vaccination:
- “In my opinion, the situation is clear. We have a responsibility as part of society. Regardless of the illness, the more people that are vaccinated the better. I’m vaccinated so that hopefully we can leave the pandemic behind us as soon as possible. That was the reason I made that decision.
We have had an open conversation and we will accept if players don’t want to get vaccinated. No player will be forced to get a vaccine.”
Squad news:
- Konni Laimer is a doubt for Babelsberg (muscle strain)
- Defender Marcel Halstenberg is recovering well from his knee operation and is making good progress
- Lukas Klostermann will definitely miss the next two games due to a muscle strain
- This match will come too soon for Brian Brobbey and Dani Olmo – they could make a return to the squad this weekend against Eintracht Frankfurt