After the loss of playmaker Xavi Simons, Marco Rose does not want to allow any big alibis. At the same time, the RB Leipzig coach warned against the visitors' strong wingers ahead of the Bundesliga top match this Saturday (3.30pm/Sky) against SC Freiburg. "Freiburg are a very stable team. They defend incredibly diligently and intensively. They have a very strong left wing with Vincenzo Grifo and Christian Günter," said Rose, adding: "They won't offer us much. We need patience, power, power and must defend standards well."
The head coach also made it clear that "the absence of Xavi is no excuse". RB will have to do without the Dutch international for several weeks after he suffered a ligament injury to his left ankle in the Champions League match against Liverpool FC. Major tactical changes are not necessary. "We are missing players with certain skills who have a big impact on our game. But it has no influence on the system. We just have to reinvent ourselves a little," said Rose. Christoph Baumgartner will now come into play in the offense. Rose also has other options such as Eljif Elmas or Viggo Gebel.
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