Leipzig (AP) – Domenico Tedesco doesn’t think much of statistics, even the table is said not to interest the RB Leipzig coach.
His pros see things a little differently, which Kevin Kampl proudly communicated after the easy 3-0 win over TSG Hoffenheim. “We’re the best team of the second half of the season, not everyone would have thought that after the first half of the season. That shows what the team is made of. We’re showing our true colors,” said the 31-year-old.
For Hoffenheim’s coach Sebastian Hoeneß, Leipzig is “currently the team of the hour”. With 34 goals, the runners-up scored more goals in the second half of the season than any other. And conceded the least with nine goals.
decision before the break
Due to numerous failures and suspensions, Hoffenheim was not an endurance test of Leipzig’s new self-confidence. But in view of the April calendar with games every three or four days, TSG also had to be defeated first. This was achieved in the first half with goals from Christopher Nkunku (5th minute), Marcel Halstenberg (20th) and Dominik Szoboszlai (44th). Of course, thoughts are now circling around the Cottaweg, what would have happened if the catastrophic first half of the season had not happened.
Because the turning point in the season of Saxony came with coach Domenico Tedesco, who replaced the hapless Jesse Marsch in December. “He calmed down from day one,” emphasized Kampl. “Things got hectic for us, we had a lot of hanging heads in the team. Many didn’t know a situation like that.”
Back on track under Tedesco
Tedesco changed the system and tactics and took the team with him in many individual discussions. The biggest change compared to Marsch is that the focus is back on possession football. While the American liked to go up and far forward following the RB DNA, Leipzig is now combining from defense to attack. “This gives us short pressing distances,” explained Kampl.
Leipzig is well on the way to becoming the champion of the second half of the season. A title that doesn’t exist, of course. It so happens that the Saxons still have two real chances of winning the title this season. On Thursday, the team at Atalanta Bergamo wants to move into the semi-finals of the Europa League for the first time, on April 20 RB welcomes 1. FC Union Berlin to the semi-finals in the DFB Cup. Leipzig would then travel to Berlin for the third time.