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."