Marsch on Leipzig Tactics: "We Need to Be Creative"

photo from RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch spoke to the media ahead of Saturday's clash with Hertha Berlin, the beginning of a three game stretch that sees the East German club playing each of those games at Red Bull Arena. The team is in the midst of one of its worst runs since joining the Bundesliga in 2016, having lost three straight games and four in total in league competition.

"We need to be creative in attack," said Marsch on his team's tactics. "To do this, we want to be aggressive and active both on and off the ball. We mustn't be too exposed when we lose the ball and deny Berlin space to hit us on the counter-attack."

Leipzig have been criticized for their return to a more high pressing style, a change from the adaptive style of play that Julian Nagelsmann brought to the club that incorporated possession play. Rumors from BILD had suggested that several players voiced their displeasure of their current tactics. It was a rumor that was all but confirmed by Emil Forsberg earlier although masked as Marsch being open to suggestions from his staff and player pool.

Hertha Berlin comes into the meeting on a two-game winning streak. Last season, the team narrowly avoided relegation but have started much better in 2021-22, with renewed energy. That is something that Marsch and his club want to use to their advantage with the hopes of regaining their own confidence with a win.

"The most important thing to me as a head coach is that the team sticks together," said Marsch. "I've been welcomed into this team and supported very well since I arrived, which has helped me a lot to be able to further concentrate on my work here with the team."

While Marsch voices the support from the club, there are still major gaps in management. The team is still without a Sporting Director. Markus Krosche left the club at the end of last season and he has yet to be replaced. It didn't keep them from signing striker Andre Silva, however the longer the team goes without the position filled, the more likely it is to affect them in the upcoming transfer market.

"As head coach you always want to be on the same page as the sporting director," Marsch said when asked about the relationship that is missing. "Both must agree on what is needed and how to move the team forward. I've often had such a relationship with past Sporting Directors. It's a great thing for a head coach."

Comments

Red Bulls Acquire Midfielder Frankie Amaya from FC Cincinnati

photo by Matt Kremkau The rumors have become reality as Frankie Amaya has become a New York Red Bulls player. The news comes after Amaya signs a new deal with New York following a trade from FC Cincinnati for $500 thousand in allocation money this season and $450 thousand in 2022. "We are very pleased to complete this deal," said Director of Sport Kevin Thelwell. "Frankie is a player we've watched closely, and we are confident that his skills and attributes are a good fit for our philosophy and style of play. We look forward to getting him into our environment and achieving success together in the years ahead." The 20 year-old midfielder was the first overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft and played in 40 total games for FC Cincinnati, scoring one goal over that time. Amaya was also a major part of the US Men's National Team U20's Concacaf Championship win in 2018. The potential is there and his age and ability match the direction New York has taken o...

Tolkin and Edelman Called into Olympic Camp

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced New York Red Bulls homegrown players John Tolkin and Daniel Edelman have been called into the US Olympic training camp ahead of friendlies later in the month. Tolkin, 21 years-old, has been called into Gregg Berhalter's camps in the past while Edelman will be making his first trip to the national level. Tolkin, now entering his fifth year as a New York Red Bulls player, has experience with the national team going all the way back to 2018 with the US Under 17 team. In 2023, he played four games for the Under 23 team and four games for the main national team as well. While he isn't a first choice pick yet, Tolkin's consistency hasn't gone unnoticed by US Soccer scouts and another solid showing could see him inch closer to a starting position. For Edelman it will be is first selection to such a camp. His experience with the Under 20's was extensive as he helped the team win the U20 Concacaf Championship in 2022. That tournamen...

Editorial: New York Red Bulls are Fun to Watch

photo by Matt Kremkau by Daniel Feuerstein The New York Red Bulls 2024 season starts off and running. In their first three matches, they have looked different from their last five to six seasons of doom and despair when trying to attack or have a lapse in judgment on the defensive end. The two big editions for the club are undoubtedly the imports from Sweden in Centerback Noah Elle & attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg. Two players who are a part of the Swedish National Team have started off well in Major League Soccer. We all knew what we were getting right away from Forsberg. A high-energy creative and attacking midfielder who was already bought in from day one, when Director of Sport Jochen Schneider went to Leipzig and brought him over. He was already committed to making the trip to the United States to play his brand of soccer, and so far he hasn't disappointed. Even though he has come close three times off of free kicks, hitting the crossbar twice and being saved by the ke...

Red Bull News Network

Search This Blog