Et could be a long Spanish evening. In any case, Domenico Tedesco is also preparing for it. “It’s a knockout game – and this has to be approached in such a way that you have the stamina for a possible extra time plus penalty shoot-out,” said the coach of Rasenballsport Leipzig before the second leg in the second round of the Europa League this Thursday (6.45 p.m in the FAZ live ticker for the Europa League and on RTL+) at Real Sociedad San Sebastián.
The situation is clear: the first leg ended 2-2 in the Leipzig Arena last Thursday. Since then, Tedesco has also been able to get used to the abolition of the away goals rule. If the goals in the opposing stadium were still the decisive factor, RB would also be enough for a draw, but only a 3: 3 or even higher. So now whoever wins at the Estadio Anoeta will progress – even a goal can be enough.
The warm-up couldn’t have been more different: RB Leipzig won 6-1 at Hertha BSC in the Bundesliga three days after the draw. Once again, Domenico Tedesco’s team turned up the heat after his substitution in the second half. The decision in the game of the Spanish league from San Sebastián was also made in the last half hour. However, to the detriment of Real in the Basque derby at Athletic Bilbao: 0: 4 it was in the end.
Leipzig, on the other hand, is at full strength: Marcel Halstenberg and Angelino also came out on the pitch for the final training session in Leipzig in a good mood. The German national player, who was injured for a long time, and the Spaniard who recently caught a cold are also part of the squad – as are all other possible professionals. “I can only field eleven players,” said Tedesco. He left open who that will be. “When we have so many staff available, it has to be a strength that the players give everything on the pitch and give themselves completely while the competition in this position on the bench is slacking off.”
The opponent is also counting on their spectators: Around 34,000 are expected in the stadium. 350 of them will be supporters of RB Leipzig. And they might have a hard time making themselves heard in the stands. Even during the final training session in San Sebastián, the professionals of the Basque club were loudly sung about and celebrated by some supporters, as reported by the “Noticias de Gipuzkoa” including a video.
