During his time at Hoffenheim, Julian Nagelsmann was given the nickname "Baby Mourinho". A few years later, in the Champions League, he meets the coach he actually doesn't look like at all.
London (dpa) - Julian Nagelsmann knows what to expect from José Mourinho. "He is ripped off in all areas. He does certain things in the coaching zone with calculation," said the RB Leipzig coach before the round of 16 round of the Champions League at Tottenham Hotspur.
If it comes to the notorious psycho-games of the Portuguese, Nagelsmann wants to take action on Wednesday (9:00 p.m. / DAZN) - until the referee intervenes. "Then we both sit in the stands and eat a sausage roll," said the 32-year-old grinning.
In a way, Nagelsmann is fascinated by Mourinho. "He has an aura that can captivate you. I'm really looking forward to getting to know him." During his time in Hoffenheim, the coach of the Saxons was even nicknamed Tim Wiese by Miss Wiese "Baby Mourinho. That was meant positively. But the comparisons are lagging." I don't think our philosophies are identical, "said Nagelsmann.
Here is the actually always good-humored leader of the Leipzig speed footballers, who likes to get intoxicated with his own offensive spectacle. There the chief cynic from Portugal, whose style of play has often been limited to the destructive in recent years. And winning titles.
While at Nagelsmann the championship with Hoffenheim U19 is the greatest success in statistics, Mourinho alone has won the Champions League twice with various clubs. There are also eight championships in Portugal, Spain, England and Italy. In short, the man no longer has to prove anything to anyone.
Nevertheless, the Spurs appendix was not exactly a wave of euphoria when the 57-year-old succeeded Mauricio Pochettino in mid-November. After a little sag, however, Tottenham got the corner and has been non-losing across seven competitions. And that without the injured striker Harry Kane, who will also be missing in both games against Leipzig. "We had our difficulties without Harry, but we have now found a way without playing him well and scoring goals," said Mourinho after the 3-2 win at Aston Villa, which is the currently outstanding former Bundesliga professional Heung-Min Son worried in injury time.
Leipzig also does not compete in the most modern football stadium in the world. While the Spurs are lacking in the storm, Nagelsmann run out of defenders. Since Willi Orban and Ibrahima Konaté are missing longer and Dayot Upamecano has a yellow card suspension, the 32-year-old has to tinker a line of defense without a central defender.
Because the stage is still too big for Ethan Ampadu, an emergency solution with the national players Lukas Klostermann and Marcel Halstenberg as the central building blocks of a chain of four may be the most sensible option. "We are now two games without conceding a goal. If we can do that in the next games, we are happy," said Klostermann.
However, what RB should worry most is that Tottenham has now adopted Mourinho football. The Spurs do not play very well, only in exceptional cases have more possession than the opponent, but they win in the end. This pragmatism, which puts victories above all, gives hope to the last year's finalist in the premier class as well. "I am in good spirits. Our coach has been in this situation many times and his experience will help the players," said former international and Tottenham defender Ledley King. Nevertheless, Leipzig will be a difficult task.
Mourinho, who provided the topic of conversation with his new, extremely short haircut, had personally examined the quality of Leipzig at the 0-0 in Munich. "It is a good sign that a star coach like himself does it. He has both feet on the ground," said Nagelsmann. He will be curious to see which face of Mourinho he will get to know.
Champions League
Squad RB Leipzig
Squad Tottenham