Fortunately, there is the internet. Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann gets a picture of the upcoming opponent Tottenham with just a few clicks and tries to decode the tactics of star coach José Mourinho.
Leipzig (dpa) - Julian Nagelsmann first sat down on his computer. In preparation for the second round of the second leg, the RB Leipzig coach surfed through the websites of English media and analyzed the statements made by opponents Tottenham Hotspur.
"I hear every press conference, see every interview. Most of the time, the statements of the players after a game are a reflection of what the coach wanted. You can hear the mood there," said Nagelsmann before the duel for the quarter-finals of the champions League on Tuesday (9pm / Sky).
It was only on Monday morning that the Leipzig authorities decided to allow the game to take place as planned and with fans despite the increasing spread of the corona virus. "I'm very happy about it. It would have been a disadvantage to play without fans," said Nagelsmann. Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU), who recommended the cancellation of events with more than 1000 people, expressed understanding due to the short-term nature.
Nagelsman was able to follow his theory and try to sound out the opponent's mood with a few clicks on the Internet. The Tottenham analysis should not have taken much time. Because since the 0: 1 from the first leg, the Spurs are off track, failed in the FA Cup and won no game in the league. The heavily devoured star coach José Mourinho reacted in his own way and publicly dismantled Tanguy Ndombélé after the 1-1 draw at Burnley FC on Saturday.
The frustration and the associated moderate working atmosphere at Tottenham is just right for RB. Because the team has not had their horsepower on the pitch since their strong appearance in the north of London. "We don't have the pace change, we're very imprecise in the last two games. It's too static. We have to get more moving," criticized sports director Markus Krösche. The zero number in Wolfsburg served as a prime example of everything that is not right in the Leipzig game.
The fight for the championship has been given up halfway. And so the premier class remains the absolute highlight away from everyday life in the Bundesliga. "If we play like we did in the first leg, I am convinced that we will get ahead," said captain Marcel Sabitzer. Good for RB that the game starts with a 1-0 lead.
This may make it easier for Leipzigers to play their dreaded counter football. "Tottenham will play more openly because a 0-0 is not enough for them. If they play a little higher and more aggressively, that would give us a lot of space behind the defense that we can play," said goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. Striker Timo Werner, who is expected to be back in the starting eleven after his break in Wolfsburg on Tuesday, should ensure the necessary speed.
This leaves two uncertainties in the end. The individual class of the Spurs-Edelkicker Dele Alli, Lucas Moura and Giovani Lo Celso. And the experience of Mourinho that cannot be outweighed. For the Portuguese, who has once again become a cynical Grantler, the game in Leipzig is already the 151st in the Champions League. Of these, the 57-year-old has only lost 34 games - and at least one goal is sufficient for the extra time in the sold-out Red Bull Arena.
In addition, Mourinho experienced crucial moments in his career in the round of 16. In 2004 he prevailed with FC Porto against Manchester United, which was classified as overpowering, and later won the trophy. A year later, Mourinho knocked out FC Barcelona in the round of 16 with Chelsea, and 2010 was also in the round of 16 for the London club against Mourinho and his new employer Inter Milan.
Nagelsmann should therefore be warned. By the way, RB completely avoided a trip to the Tottenham game in Burnley on Saturday. Here too, Nagelsmann relies on a computer. "We have recordings of all games from the same perspective. It's 1000 times better than being on site," said the 32-year-old. His search engine tactic seems to be a promising model, after all, it brought Leipzig into the knockout phase for the first time.
