Leipzig coach Rose satisfied with change: praise for Blaswich

In the opinion of coach Marco Rose, RB Leipzig have coped well with the personnel bloodletting in the summer. "At the moment, we can speak of a successful turnaround," said the 47-year-old on Monday. "The results are proving us right. But I know how it works. If one or two results don't come, questions will be asked. I don't want to paint the world pink because I've been around long enough." In the areas where they are moving, "the air is mega-thin".

Leipzig reached the last 16 of the Champions League despite the departures of regulars such as Christopher Nkunku, Dominik Szoboszlai, Konrad Laimer and Josko Gvardiol and are third in the Bundesliga. Leipzig face Werder Bremen on Tuesday (18:30/Sky) in their final game of the year. "We've won three Bundesliga games in a row and want to go one better," said Rose, warning in particular about striker Marvin Duksch: "He has an outstanding foot and has become an international again in his old age."

Janis Blaswich will be back in goal for Leipzig in Bremen, although the 32-year-old has made several mistakes recently. Rose strengthened his number one. "I won't let myself drift as a coach," emphasized Rose. "Janis is still the same great goalkeeper he was four weeks ago." The coach wants Blaswich to remain courageous. He still wants competition with Peter Gulacsi, who has recovered from a cruciate ligament rupture: "But that doesn't mean that there are doubts about Janis."