Five months after the round of 16 success against Tottenham, RB Leipzig continues in the Champions League. Nagelsmann's team is really challenged against Atlético Madrid at the blitz tournament in Lisbon. Who will replace the top striker who has emigrated is still open.
Lisbon (AP) - The "Missão Final" begins. RB Leipzig starts with the duel against the defense specialists from Atlético Madrid in the blitz tournament of the Champions League.
The Bundesliga soccer team will face the Spanish top club for the quarter-finals on Thursday (9 p.m. / Sky and DAZN) at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann does not see his team in the outsider role despite the opponent's much greater premier class experience. "We will be brave and bring our way of playing football to the field," the 33-year-old announced.
For the first time, Nagelsmann has to do without Timo Werner, who has moved to Chelsea. The 33-year-old coach left open who should take the position of top scorer. "It will be a capable player who is a professional at RB Leipzig," said Nagelsmann.
According to Nagelsmann, it is still unclear whether Patrik Schick would be ready to replace Werner in the attack after his back problems. Yussuf Poulsen has a head start in terms of fitness after cracking down on syndesmosis. Nagelsmann also did not want to commit to a use of left-back Marcel Halstenberg, who also had back problems
Leipzig is in the quarter-finals for the first time in its second Champions League participation. For Nagelsmann, too, it is a first on this level. Atlético, on the other hand, was much closer to the big triumph in the premier class. In 2014 and 2016 they only failed in the final at their local rivals Real Madrid.
The preparation of the Spaniards for the blitz tournament in Lisbon was not ideal. One day late, they only traveled to Portugal on Tuesday because of the positive corona tests by professionals Angel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko. Atlético will miss the duo.
FC Bayern Munich will be the second remaining German club to take on FC Barcelona in its quarter-finals on Friday. A duel with RB Leipzig is possible in the final on August 23 at the earliest.
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