“We will look for our chances” | The final training and press conference before #RBLRMA

The Red Bulls switch to Champions League mode!

Before the UCL Round of 16 first leg on Tuesday against Real Madrid (kick-off: 9 p.m.) there were two important events today:

• the press conference with RBL head coach Marco Rose and Peter Gulacsi
   
• the final training session before the match from Cottaweg.

You can watch the entire press conference and the first 15 minutes of the training here in the video. You will also find Marco and Pete's thoughts about their opponents Real.
 

Squad Update | 12. February

• Mohamed Simakan is ready for action after his collision in the game against Augsburg.
   
• Amadou Haidara has resumed his normal training schedule again after his slight knee problem.

Who is fit? Who is missing? All current information can be found in our personnel update.
 

Marco Rose about ...

... Real Madrid

• "We're looking forward to the match in our stadium. That's what we worked on all last season. We're talking about Real Madrid, one of the strongest teams in Europe. They've developed outstandingly over the year. They're in exceptional condition in all areas. 
  
  Real play very flexibly and a lot on the wings. I'm also particularly impressed that they fight for every meter without the ball and are willing to defend together in a compact manner. Madrid is a team that knows how to win the Champions League.
  
  But we also have great footballers in our ranks. We will give everything and look for our chances with the ball. We want to fight back and we're certainly not afraid."
  
   

... the possible absence of Jude Bellingham

• "I don't think he'll be out until he's not in the stadium tomorrow. I know him and I know that he will do everything to play a Champions League game.
  
  I think he is at the right club and has made the right move. It doesn't surprise me that it turned out the way it did. The fact that he scored so many goals came as a bit of a surprise. I had him for a year. He's a great boy and a great footballer with an incredible mentality. Now he has taken further steps forward.
  
  If he doesn't play, Brahim Diaz would certainly be an option. Maybe they'll play in a 4-3-3 system with Joselu up front. Those are nuances in their game that would change."
  
   

... his team's own game

• "We will stay strong with our game and try to choose our approach. We have to defend well in all areas and be compact overall. We will certainly also have opportunities to switch play. And we have to try to have phases of play with the ball which we utilize well.
  
  Both switching phases are very important. Real are very good at switching offensively, they have good pace and good dynamics. And we then have to control this phase as best as possible.
  
  But we also want to play toward the opponent's goal and score goals. Because that's what we'll need to get through to the next round."
   

Marco Rose about ...

... the strengths of Vinicius Junior

• "He plays a lot on the wing. If they play with a diamond, then maybe as a second center forward. But even from there, he often wants to get the ball into his feet from the wing in order to go one-on-one.
  
  He has a high pace and demands balls deep. This means that as a defender you have to be prepared for it. But focusing only on Vinicius Junior would be wrong. When Joselu plays and Real play on the wings, he has a very good header. They also have midfielders who can score goals and dangerous full-backs."
   

... his colleague on the other bench, Carlo Ancelotti

• "What more can we say about Carlo Ancelotti? He has won the Champions League several times. He has incredible charisma and incredible calm. This isn't the first time I've played against him. He's a great personality and has been very successful in this business for many years .
  
  Ancelotti is simply a great coach who you can definitely learn a few things from."
   

Peter Gulacsi ...

... the key players for Real Madrid

• "We know about their individual qualities. Vinicius Junior played very well at the weekend and was involved in at least three goals. Rodrygo is also one of them. But we can also mention the entire midfield line, even if Jude Bellingham is now injured.
  
  Real is an extremely strong team with a lot of offensive power. And they're in really good shape. We don't just have to prepare for one player, but for several."
  
   

... the task ahead

• "First of all, I'm happy that I can be on the pitch and play a knockout game in the Champions League. It's something very special and big for every footballer. In the last two games I tried to give the team a boost with my style.
  
  That will be the case tomorrow too. I will do everything I can to help us achieve a good performance."
  
   

... the 3:2 win against Real in October 2022

• "If you've done it before, then you know you can do it again. That's important for all of us. I wasn't in Leipzig that day, but of course I still followed the game. That was a very energetic performance from us , we played extremely intensely with a lot of emotions.
  
  And we need that tomorrow too. A few of the guys from back then are no longer here, but a few still are. We want to use this experience for tomorrow. But it's a knockout game, it's a little different.
  
  We want to play with passion and intensity and, with our fans behind us, create a good position for the second leg."