Xaver Schlager wants to erase memories of Belgrade

Xaver Schlager would prefer to erase the memories of Belgrade. "That was not so successful. We were eliminated in the Champions League qualifiers with Salzburg," said the Austrian from RB Leipzig. On Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN), he and the Saxons will face the 13-time Serbian champions again in the group stage of the top flight. "When you are champions in a small league, you are especially motivated. You live for these games and give over 100 percent. It will be difficult for us because the opponent comes with a lot of energy."

Energy that Schlager did not have recently. The game in Darmstadt missed the Dauerläufer. His body was simply through. "I was at the limit," said the 26-year-old. Now he is fit again and should be in the starting eleven against Belgrade on Wednesday evening. It could already become a pre-decisive game for Leipzig, because with a victory, one would have at best after half of the group games five points ahead of third place and could make in Belgrade in two weeks the eighth-final move perfect.

Coach Marco Rose wants his Abräumer a goal against Belgrade. In Bern, Schlager had already scored. "That was on artificial turf. Let's see if it works on real grass, too," Rose said with a grin and continued to tease, "You could see from his cheering, it was from 1989, that he doesn't score that often."