Coach Marco Rose wants to avoid major upheaval at RB Leipzig

Coach Marco Rose wants to avoid another major shake-up at RB Leipzig in the next transfer window at all costs. "Not this time, please," said the 47-year-old in an interview with pay-TV channel Sky: "If you look at who left us in the summer, we lost a complete axis. It would be important to stay together in order to take the next step." As a coach, he would "prefer to continue working with the team that has developed well in order to then broaden out even more at the top".

However, some of Leipzig's key players such as Xavi Simons (21) and Dani Olmo (25) are in demand at top European clubs, and it is at least questionable whether they will stay beyond the summer. In the case of Xavi Simons in particular, who is on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, the club "doesn't have a complete hand on it", said Rose: "The important thing is that we qualify for the Champions League. Then we want to shape the talks in such a way that we keep the youngster here for another year or two. That would be good for Xavi."

He is in good contact with the attacking player and does not have the feeling that the Dutchman wants to leave the club. "Xavi gives the impression that he feels comfortable here, is developing well and that it is a good environment for him overall," said the coach: "Accordingly, I am still very positive that we will still see him with us next year." However, he added that it was important for talks with top players like Xavi "that we don't just see ourselves as a stopover, but that we also show ambitious goals ourselves".

RB currently occupy fourth place in the Bundesliga, which would definitely entitle them to participate in the Champions League again next season. The Saxons want to successfully defend this position on Saturday (3.30 pm/Sky) in the home game of the 31st matchday against rivals Borussia Dortmund. "Defending Dortmund's power, power and pace is a difficult task," said Rose: "BVB are a good team who can also defend diligently and passionately themselves. They have a lot of games under their belt, but they can be just as confident as we are." Despite the home advantage, it will be "a tight game".