RB Leipzig is poised for redemption as they face VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday, seeking to overturn their staggering home defeat from November, when they lost 5-1 to the Lower Saxony side. This DFB Pokal quarter-final clash takes place at 20:45 and holds high stakes for Leipzig, who are eager to advance to the semi-finals of this prestigious cup.
Leipzig's head coach Marco Rose, who has faced criticism for the team's inconsistent performances this season, emphasized the importance of tactical preparation against Wolfsburg. "We let the game out of our hands relatively quickly," Rose reflected, referencing the previous encounter where his team struggled to cope with Wolfsburg's pace and transitional play. "We have to watch their pace, their switching. Wolfsburg have developed well overall. It’s difficult to score goals against them and create chances. We've thought about something to counter their momentum," he added.
With their record defeat against Wolfsburg still fresh on their minds, Leipzig must improve significantly not only tactically but also emotionally as they step onto the pitch. The last match ended disappointingly for Leipzig, who managed a draw against Heidenheim, with Rose expecting far more from his squad against the Wolves. “We need to show our quality and score goals; we cannot repeat the mistakes from the last match,” he urged.
Leipzig enters the fixture with some injury concerns. Key player Yussuf Poulsen is ruled out due to muscular issues, and Christoph Baumgartner's availability is uncertain due to fever after their last Bundesliga match. Despite these setbacks, the team remains determined to perform at their best and utilize players like Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko to find the back of the net.
On the other side, Wolfsburg will be missing influential captain Maximilian Arnold along with goalkeeper Kamil Grabara and playmaker Felix Nmecha, which could hinder their attacking capabilities. Wolfsburg's recent form has been impressive, and they aim to capitalize on Leipzig’s vulnerabilities. They've been on the rise, demonstrating their strength by successfully transitioning from defense to counter-attacks.
The historical rivalry between the two teams has been marked by competitive matches, but Leipzig holds the overall advantage with 11 wins out of 23 encounters against Wolfsburg. Interestingly, Leipzig has won four out of their six prior cup meetings, giving them psychological confidence heading to this high-stakes match.
Wolfsburg's recent success against Leipzig has added to the pressure. Following their November clash, the tone of the teams has shifted – Leipzig is motivated for revenge, and Wolfsburg is ready to continue their dominance. With the intensity building around the match, both fanbases are anticipated to bring their fervor to the stands, making for an electrifying atmosphere.
Kick-off is set for 20:45 local time, and both teams know the stakes: only one can progress to the next stage of the DFB Pokal, and with the added history and rivalry, this match promises not to disappoint.