Tedesco speaks on challenge of high-flying Frankfurt: "Difficult to prepare."
With Eintracht Frankfurt rolling into town on a four-match-unbeaten-run, RB Leipzig trainer Domenico Tedesco spoke on the challenges of maintaining his own team's momentum during his Friday presser.
The Eagles of Germany's commercial capital are sure to be riding high following an emotionally charged Europa League victory on Thursday evening. Oliver Glasner's Eintracht are now unbeaten in four matches on the trot and displaying excellent recent form.
RB Leipzig--also through to the Europa League quarterfinals courtesy of Spartak Moscow's suspension--aren't exactly in poor form either. Under the aegis of head-coach Domenico Tedesco, the German Red Bulls have taken 22 points from nine league rounds in the 2021/22 "Rück-runde". No team has performed better in the Bundesliga season's second-half.
Tedesco (much as he did last week) acknowledged the qualities of his team, yet preferred to keep the focus on the upcoming opponent. Leipzig hasn't been unable to best Frankfurt in their last four league duels. Jesse Marsch's RB conceded a deflating last-minute-goal in last autumn's reverse fixture.
The topic of "last-minute goals" seemed to be very much on Tedesco's mind as he fielded questions during his Friday press conference. The 36-year-old expressed the concern that Frankfurt's dramatic late victory could "unlock powers" within the ranks of his opponent.
There is also the matter of Glasner's coming squad rotations. The SGE trainer deployed the exact same XI in his last four fixtures. After Eintracht went 120 minutes on Thursday, however, changes are surely coming.
"That makes our preparation difficult precisely because we just don't know," Tedesco noted when asked what he anticipated from Glasner, "This is a physically robust team that's really doing well."
About the most obvious facet of Frankfurt's game that Tedesco must prepare for concerns Filip Kostic's crossing ability from the left. Even that isn't necessarily a clear danger anymore, as Jesper Lindstrøm has emerged as an equally dangerous threat from the right.
Tedesco spoke on Kostic anyway.
"Filip can cross from almost every area," Tedesco noted, "His qualities are undisputed. We need to mount a good defense in the box."
This may call for a back-four. Tedesco should have the players for this. Insofar as injuries are concerned, the RB gaffer should once again have the full squad to draw upon.
Only former German national team fullback Lukas Klostermann--still recovering from muscular problems--stands as a question mark.
Tedesco did hint that Klostermann might still be available in time for the Sunday fixture
"He will be assessed again," the trainer noted, "If all appears well, he will be in the squad."