With Spartak Moscow, RB Leipzig has drawn the most politically sensitive lot for the round of 16 of the Europa League. When asked about a boycott, club representatives gave a firm answer.
Rasenballsport Leipzig meets the Russian representative Spartak Moscow in the round of 16 of the Europa League. A lot that is particularly tricky due to the current situation in Ukraine. The question of whether Leipzig would boycott the game also came up.
Florian Scholz, Commercial Director of Sport, now said that the club wanted to compete: “It is clear that we wanted the round of 16 under different circumstances. We have already made our position on this very clear: we hope and trust in a peaceful solution to the problem as soon as possible Regardless of that, we want to win against Spartak. We are the only Bundesliga club still represented in 3 competitions and want to get as far as possible in all of them, because our goal as a still young club is to be in the top 20 in Europe in the long term to establish,” Scholz is quoted as saying.
After the draw for the round of 16 in the Europa League, the professionals from RB Leipzig did not initially talk about possible measures and actions in the game against Spartak Moscow. “I slept two hours last night, I didn’t have time to talk to my teammates on the team council if we’re doing something,” said striker Yussuf Poulsen in a digital media session on Friday. On the return journey from San Sebastian, Leipzig learned that they were playing in the top 16 teams against the ten-time Russian champions.
“As long as Uefa don’t decide otherwise, it’s just the way it is”
Regarding a possible boycott of games against teams from Russia after the Russian military invaded Ukraine, Poulsen said: “You have qualified in sport. As long as Uefa does not decide otherwise and we play on another (neutral, editor’s note. ) Playing space, that’s just how it is.” However, he also emphasized that as footballers they are not different people and that they perceive and sympathize with what is happening in Ukraine just like everyone else.
With a 3-1 win in the second leg on Thursday at Real Sociedad San Sebastian, the Leipzig team advanced to the round of 16. Spartak Moscow was seeded at the top of the group in the draw.
The first leg kicks off at the Red Bull Arena on March 10, with the second leg taking place on neutral ground a week later. Uefa had already decided that before the draw. For RB coach Domenico Tedesco, this means a reunion with his former club, he had worked for Spartak Moscow for almost two years before joining RB.