RB pros strengthen Rose: "Can't imagine a better coach"

After the next bitter disappointment, RB Leipzig's leading players stood in front of their coach Marco Rose. "I can't think of a better coach for us at the moment. I think the team has a duty now. We have young players, but they have to take the next step and become even more mature," said RB captain Willi Orban after the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan in the Champions League.

"We have to give him confidence"

It was not only the fifth defeat in a row in the top flight, but also the fifth competitive game in a row without a win. "It's the first crisis we've had together with the coach, and we have to give him that confidence. Now it's up to us lads," said defensive boss Orban. The next Bundesliga match against VfL Wolfsburg follows on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky).

Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi also refused to apportion any blame for the first real sporting crisis in Rose's three-year tenure. "We have to stick together now and get out of this together," said the Hungarian. He is hoping for a turnaround in the top flight: "At the end of the day, you don't know how many points you need to progress. We have to make sure that we win our home game this year. And then we'll see what else is possible."

First final game against Aston Villa

For Rose himself, the math is simple. "The situation is simple now, simple. There are three games, we need nine points. Aston Villa is the first final game, I believe that with nine points you actually have a chance of progressing," said the coach ahead of the final weeks in the top flight with the duels on December 10 against Aston Villa, on January 22 against Sporting Lisbon and then on January 29 at Sturm Graz.