Marco Rose: "Something Is Coming Our Way"

A match against the Cup and League Champion!

On Saturday (6:30PM CEST / 12:30 ET) the Red Bulls will face the reigning German champions and DFB Pokal winners Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Our head coach Marco Rose answered questions from the media in today's press conference.

Which players won't be available in Leverkusen? What does Marco think of our opponent? All the answers are here and in the livestream!
 

Squad Update

• Willi Orban won't be available in Leverkusen due to his suspension after being sent off against VfL Bochum.
   
• Xaver Schlager (recovering an ACL tear) and Assan Ouedraogo (knee) are the only others missing.
   

Marco Rose about...

... the starting lineup

• "We'll have to replace Willi Orban in Leverkusen after his red card against VfL. We'll have to wait and see whether Mo Simakan or Lukas Klostermann will take his spot the starting eleven. Both have enough quality, both can replace him. Overall, a lot is possible. Amadou Haidara could end up playing as a stopping midfielder instead of on the wing.
  
  Additionally, Antonio Nusa has shown in the last two games why we signed him. This of course also increases the possibility of him being in the starting eleven. We can allow ourselves to look forward to that being the case."
   

... Leverkusen's strengths 

• "We can't really use the DFB Pokal match against Carl-Zeiss Jena as a reference. It was a challenging match against a very good regional league team. If we look at their squad, it's clear that they kept the majority of their players and even gained experience in some areas. 
  
  They have a great coach, a great team and follow a clear playing philosophy. Leverkusen is and remains an ambitious team, they're among the candidates to win the Bundesliga again this year. Nevertheless, we have always had our chances against them and have done plenty right. We have a big task ahead of us."
   

Marco Rose on...

...Arthur Vermeeren

• "In Arthur we signed the next young star. He made a very good impression in the first training sessions, asks a lot of questions and responds to our style of play. Now he has to make sure to get used to the atmosphere and his new teammates. If he succeeds in doing that, we have signed a great player for the long term."
   

...the UCL draw

• "My wish would be to play FC Barcelona so that I can see Dani Olmo again and also meet Hansi Flick. We don't necessarily want to meet Manchester City or Real Madrid again. There are a few other interesting teams that we could meet. We are excited and looking forward to the draw."