FFor success in the Champions League, Julian Nagelsmann can do without beautiful football. Therefore, after the 2-0 win against Istanbul Basaksehir at the start of the group phase, the RB Leipzig coach quickly got over the fact that there was a lot of room for improvement, especially in the second half. The main thing was that you started with a win in the very demanding group with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
“You have to have a bit of a bastard mentality on the days when you don’t play a top game,” stressed Nagelsmann and explained: “The second half was a little tough. We were a little tired and not one hundred percent fit in all positions. ”However, the Spaniard Angelino was exceptionally fit, with his goals in the 16th and 20th minutes, who played a key role in the mandatory win against the Turkish champions.
Yussuf Poulsen also highlighted what is important in the premier class. “At the end of the day there are three points. We know that the second half wasn’t good, ”said the Danish international. Especially with a view to the difficult away game in Manchester next week, the win was important so as not to be under massive pressure at Old Trafford.
Be patient with Hwang
Despite the rather average performance with the exception of the first 25 minutes, Leipzig’s victory was never in danger. Only three of the eight Turkish chances came on the goal of Peter Gulacsi, mostly harmless and from a distance. Leipzig could even allow itself to give the opponent possession of the ball and wait for the counterattack.
However, this was not played consistently to the end. Substitute new signing Hee-chan Hwang in particular revealed some weaknesses. Nagelsmann therefore asked for patience. “He still needs time. Last season he was a regular in a solid team in Salzburg. We’re playing a little differently in Leipzig, ”said the 33-year-old. Hwang tried hard, but he could certainly do better.
The South Korean might get the chance to do so on Saturday against Hertha BSC. Nagelsmann will have to manage the strength of his cadre. After all, five more games are on the program until November 7th, in addition to the game at United, the duels with Paris and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
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