Rose speaks on his red card, thanks Leverkusen fans for helping him find a seat
Rose made certain to emphasize that he found match official Matthias Jöllenbeck's decision to be the correct one. The RB trainer also spoke of his mini-adventure trying to find a seat amongst the Leverkusen faithful.
RB Leipzig trainer Marco Rose wasn't able to enjoy his team's monumental victory over long-term German footballing "Invincibles" Bayer 04 Leverkusen from the touchline yesterday. The 47-year-old found himself ejected from proceedings on double yellows in the 26th minute by match official Matthias Jöllenbeck. Speaking at the joint post-match presser alongside Werkself trainer Xabi Alonso yesterday, Rose spoke on the scene.
"The new rules for this season are clear," Rose first said in a reference to Bundesliga regulations forbidding anyone besides the squad captain from discussing on-pitch decisions with the referee, "I actually spoke with the match officials and VAR team at the hotel earlier today about the rules and told them they wouldn't have to worry about that from me."
"I have to get used to the new consequences," Rose continued, "And I'd like to say that I find [the new rules] to be really good. We all want to complain less and play more football. The match official today reacted in accordance with the rules. He, of course, interpreted things literally with a very high standard in my case. It's not like I cursed anyone."
"I was emotional and reacted accordingly," Rose went on, "I merely said that we should talk to one another and that's when I got the second yellow card. I have to get used [to the new rules] and, with that in mind, I'm prepared to take full responsibility. Marco Rose is not unteachable. I have to figure out how to react. Today was on me. The ref acted properly."
A follow-up question from Phillip Arens of Germany's "Bild Zeitung" tabloid asked Rose to clarify the manner in which he took a seat behind the dugout. Cameras caught the RB trainer talking with a Leverkusen fan over where he might park himself. Rose remained gracious in his reply.
"The Leverkusen fan was very nice and helped me find a seat," Rose said, "A father and son were sitting there. They offered to go elsewhere. I said no. There was another guy who kindly sat himself on the steps. We all found a solution and watched the 1-0 [from Frimpong]. Everyone stood up. I remained seated. It was a weird experience for me."
"I watched the second half from the press box," Rose concluded, "Thanks to the Leverkusen officials. There were most welcoming. And thanks to the fans as well. They were very nice."