Transcript
Speaker: Hello, this is Bolson Red. And in this week's episode, you'll find out what kind of special legs Richard has. I'm still here and I got legs like, you know, like Lance Armstrong. and the in his You are also treated it to listening in into an eerie atmosphere at the RB Arena.
Speaker: Find out why Richard is not so optimistic about our visit to Leverkusen. I don't see that there's any good chance that we get away from Leverkusen with more than nothing.
Speaker: And just listen to how rubbish Mario is when trying to guess our UCL opponents for this season. But maybe I'm wrong. Yeah, you're totally wrong. It's totally wrong. Yeah, no, it's totally wrong. Welcome to Worlds in Red.
Speaker: And welcome to Bulls in Red. We are at home at Leipzig and this podcast is made for you wherever you are on this little planet of ours. Each week, Richard and Mario take your by the hand and show you the Arby Leipzig world as we see it. So Richard, how the devil are you this evening? Thank you, Mario. I'm fine. Thank you. Thank you. We'll enjoy the show.
Speaker: Wonderful. Well, Richard, first of all, I'd just like to tell you about my new seat, or our new seats, in the RB Arena it is, no? Not St. Rajdajan in the RB Arena. And I must tell you, I was there for the first time on Saturday and it felt different. Do you remember that feeling when you went to a new school? It felt a little bit like that. It is same stadium. I mean, I've been going there to RB Leipzig matches since 2013.
Speaker: Actually, it wouldn't be in that stadium before that. I think it was a test match. Germany played Israel. That was, I don't know, was it 2011? I don't even remember. And before that, you know, the original St. Grazdagion, when the new stadium wasn't built inside and you know that place very well because you were running up and down the stairs, I was told. You told me about that. yeah more often More often, I liked it.
Speaker: yeah So did it do you any harm now? There you go. I'm still here and I got legs like Lance Armstrong in this picture. Okay, swiftly moving on. Anyways, um so I was in the old stadium, end of 70s and you know what was the most boring match I ever watched in there? The German Democratic Republic was playing Greece in a friendly in the summer. It was really hot and it was a nil -nil draw. Super exciting.
Speaker: super exciting. So have you must mentioned you have to mention that there wasn't there wasn't a roof. no No, no, no roof, no roof. So the sun was batting down, of course. Yeah. And all us East Germans, we got really 10, just like the Greeks almost. No, this is just a myth. And this whole thing was made of concrete and yeah and those wooden, those wooden seats. It wasn't even seats. and world inches Yeah, benches like socialist style. Very nice.
Speaker: ah So after nine years sitting in sector D at the ah one once the end of the of the pitch, close to the away supporters, being close to the pitch, ah I moved to the upper tier, to the other other side of the stadium, close to the home supporters, it's block 125 it is.
Speaker: So I walked down Saturday and said it was really hot day. As I expected, 35 degrees sun was really shining and we were told to take in a lot of liquids, ideally water. So water was cheap in the stadium. It was just one euro fifty per half a litre. And it was told after 20 minutes in some sections they ran out of water.
Speaker: So, the new seat is, as I said, on the ah top level, so I have to climb more stairs. And remember when you buy those family bundle tickets and you sit somewhere else, you don't sit in the lower tier, you sit in the upper tier, did you notice that the stairs are much steeper?
Speaker: It feels really like when you walk down the stairs it feels really like you have to hold on to the handrails because it seems to be so steep so I don't walk up walk back down and I really admire everybody who can maneuver those stairs without a falling down and be maybe carrying a few beers and drinks and food.
Speaker: without spilling or dropping them, so well done on you. I need a little bit more practice, so I walked to my new seat, sat down, looked around, and you can immediately picture the people who've been there for quite a while because they seem to be very comfortable. They talk to one another, they know each other, and I felt like I was entering a new class and I didn't know anybody. They just looked like RB Leipzig supporters. Can I say something about the no charade in that block?
Speaker: It is similar to the perceived no -show rate of sector D, my friend. Yo, it is, it is similar. There were empty seats around me. I'm so sorry. and fun the we go Everywhere. I was, I was so disappointed when I watched this game on, on, on telly. And when we talked about it earlier and I was so convinced that there won't be any yeah reason to think that our RBL and huge letters in the sector D, but Hey, I was so wrong. And, um, oh my gosh, I. I got no idea, you know, you have like three months, no club football at all. You have this fantastic heroes at home. So everyone should be excited going heading back to the game and watch the first home game in the new season and then home opener for like 10 seasons. And then, you know, the stadium announcer announces 44 ,000 and something ah spectators and you look around you and like, but Come on, boy.
Speaker: You're kidding me? At best 37 ,000. Well, but you do have to bear in mind that it was really hot, the sun was glaring down. And especially in the grandstands, you're on the, as we say, Hauptrubühne and where the VIP seats are, they had the sun, they had the full sunshine all the time so throughout the whole game. And a lot of people were lot of people were actually moving up the stairs into the shade and trying to cover themselves from the shade. Some people actually left early because they couldn't take the heat, but
Speaker: the other parts of the stadium, which were perfectly in the shade, you know they displayed a lot of empty seats as well. So i must I must agree with you. I'm not really sure what's going on there. But anyway, I sat down that... Oh, sorry. did Did you want to mention anything? It feels like the Germans, so maybe the people from Leipzig and and around are spoiled. you know But I watch NFL a lot and and and what I recognize is they don't care. and Americans don't care if there's like 35 degrees or minus 20 degrees Celsius. These stands are always always crowded as hell and
Speaker: And it feels like, OK, here and in Germany, it's too hot, the sun is burning my skin, and then one kind of ah hurt myself. on and and And then in the fall or in the winter, oh, it's rainy, or it's too cold, and I could freeze off my fingers and something like that. Come on, people, go into the stadium, right? It's only seven times a year. What's wrong with you? OK, sorry. Go on, please. That was Richard's rant. But let me ask you something.
Speaker: What do you think is the main motivation of the RBL Leipzig supporters to go to those matches? Watching footy, what else? Do you think so? Yeah. Okay. But why is it then the case that versus teams like Bossier, Dortmund or Bayern Munich, the place is actually full?
Speaker: And other, you know, with other games like Bohum or the teams from the lower end, it is officially full, but it's obviously visibly not so full. You know, the the other big clubs with the huge support base had grown their support base after the German reunion.
Speaker: So at times there were no Bundesliga club in Leipzig. People searched for other teams to support. like and And you know, success makes sexier, as we say in German. And it's no wonder that Borussia Dortmund, who went for back -to -back titles in 1997 -98 and went for the UCL title and the best club team in the world, winning in Tokyo, I remember,
Speaker: Bayern Munich, you know always present in in the top of the Bundesliga and won the UEFA Cup 97 in the Champions League a few years later. So it's no wonder that and that this huge fan base in and around Leipzig, they got, they raised in the 90s and early 2000s.
Speaker: And so I like to think that yeah when when those teams come to town, first of all, a lot of away supporters are traveling with them. And the second thing I would like to mention is I'm convinced that the other like four or five thousand people are actually supporting the the visiting club. and So that the the original fan base that always are going to visit and support RB Leipzig and don't care about the opponent at all,
Speaker: and obviously is not about more than 35, 37, 38 ,000. And I think you hit the nail on the head here. Exactly. Because like we like we mentioned before, because of the ah lack of Bundesliga teams in Leipzig and maybe going back to East German times when you couldn't watch West German teams playing in Leipzig unless it's the European Cup once in a while and you're lucky.
Speaker: A lot of people developed a love for a West German club and they still keep that. So they may even support both clubs. So I agree with you, the core of fan base for whom it doesn't matter who's visiting RB Leipzig.
Speaker: in order for them to go to a football game of Abrilype to support Abrilype tick is not as big as as the stadium, as the 44 ,000 or 45 ,000. It's like the core base may be 30, maybe even less. you know They reduce the number of season tickets to 28 ,500. And I would like to think that this is the minimum, the core base of people who actually attend the games.
Speaker: but But this is it. We're not at the stage where we have 40 ,000 people who will support RB Leipzig, and it doesn't matter, and and go to those matches, and it doesn't matter who actually will come to Leipzig. If it is Bayern Munich, if it is PSG City, or Faufelbuhrung, it doesn't matter. They will still still attend.
Speaker: So I think, yeah, very valid point. Thank thank you. It sounds like i'm I'm interviewing. Thank you, Rich. It's been very interesting. you don't yeah you know it It feels like if feels like um you know it's it's ah it's a task for for for both of us um to to yeah like do our little work here.
Speaker: And maybe... We just titchered. Yeah, and maybe other ones that convinced like 10 more people to come to the stadium. And if you can reach that, everything was worth the effort. Exactly. But I think it needs to develop over time, maybe in 10 -15 years it's it's ah it's different. but like we are where we are, you know. But coming back to my little move to the new seat, so the section we are in now, I'm now in this block 125, it's next, it's on the top tier and it's next to the and end of the home supporters. So this is really nice because you get all the the noise in the crowd and I'll tell you later why I got distracted. I didn't even watch the game for half an hour because I was looking at something else and I will let you know in a sec.
Speaker: But the block in itself, the the section is quite small. So if you stand up in sector D where we were, which is just ah pretty much in the center, close to the pitch, a little bit higher than the ago, and you turn around, the whole sector D is, the section is really big. Now the block 125 goes all the way to the top of the ah stadium. And from that, let's say from that rim, you have a beautiful view over Leipzig, what we call Leipzig Skyline. So it's very nice.
Speaker: but it's very small. It is very small and compared to that, but still comfortable. And the the view, you are more remote from the pitch, so this is something I have to get used to. But for you, Richard, I think it's great because it's like a chessboard, slightly tilted. And for a tactical, tactic freaks and analytics, this is beautiful. This is made for you. Not so much for me because I like to be closer to the action and I like to see and read the faces of the player.
Speaker: But and you know what I also miss? This is something really interesting. You know when you go to a football game and they run the players run around the pitch all the time and it just steers up the grass and there's a certain smell. Like when you mow the lawn, there's a certain smell of fresh grass. You get that when you're at the lower end, close to the pitch. When you're up there, you don't really get this. so I was kind of missing that. What I enjoyed was and still do is just watching those supporters in Sector B, so which are at one end of the yeah stadium. They're all stands. This is where they wave the flags, where they put up their banners, where they chant. And I found this so interesting that I actually missed what was going on in the pitch for the first half an hour.
Speaker: I was so fascinated because it was just this was this was pretty much the first time I was so close to them. Some of the chants I could finally understand word for word because it the acoustic was much, much better. But I have to tell you, in the ten ten first 10 minutes of the match, the atmosphere was eerie. Do you know remember when you sometimes go to a test match of RB Leipzig at home and there's no, as they call it, organized support?
Speaker: There is no atmosphere. There are no, not really chants all the time, maybe one and off. People are waving flags, but it's it's different. And the first nine minutes, it kind of felt like that. I'm like, what the hell's going on here? Then it dawned on me, okay, there was this dispute last week between the club and the active fan scene, as they call it. And there's a difference in views, how the club wants to present itself. So the official lane is, or the official line is,
Speaker: Flares are not allowed. We don't want that. This is a club which is suitable for families. People go there because it's peaceful, but you still can celebrate football. And the main reason is football is not to cause smoke and put up these flares. Why there's the, yeah let's say, mainly younger fan scene, and I think you leaned more towards that.
Speaker: who say who actually claimed, well, this is part of the atmosphere. Without that, there is no atmosphere. There are no chants. There is no typical football style, I call the atmosphere again. And the beef the club has with those supporters is that on away games, that these fans behave differently on the away matches. And you see all these flares and you see them, well, you see them chanting different, you hear them chanting different stuff in her insults as well, which, okay, I got a different opinion about that as well.
Speaker: So there was a big argument and for some of those supporters of the active scenes they were actually banned from going to the stadium and this was leading back to some incidents of last season and of course they felt hard done by.
Speaker: and they stayed to protest. It was a bigger protest than we had last year in Sector D. you know The protestion, remember that? It was nothing. This one here was bigger than I thought. so First of all, you could hear acoustically there was no there was no chance no real It was really strange.
Speaker: um Of course, Harvey Leipzig didn't lie to firework. on the pitch either. But you couldn't suspect that, because before the game started, everything was normal. You know, Leipzig wasn't fire. um um That chain went up and so everything was everything was normal. Only when the game started, it was really different than before. And after nine minutes, I started noticing that behind the stand of the Sector B, there is on the top level, there's sort of a catering area, like a large space. And I noticed there are hundreds of people.
Speaker: And the thing is, you don't really notice that that they're missing in the stands because, you know, everybody is shows so compact anyway, there are no gaps. So you don't really immediately see if there are five, six, seven hundred people missing. So those people were up there and they started chanting, ah gigging all the stardium for Portugal against all sorts of people being banned from stadiums. um
Speaker: oh And then they started walking down, you know, where the stairs are. And that reminded me, you know, Do you know when they staged their protests and they vacate, they leave their block empty, and then they come down, they did the same thing, you know, like, oh, what the hell is going on here?
Speaker: me um are are are um the atmosphere was back. So then we were back to normal. That was much better. And this is when, I don't know, i got completelyd I got completely distracted in the first hour. I watched them, I watched them waving flags walking around. I listened to those carpools who, you know, announced what kind of chance are going to happen now. And I found this really fascinating. So I'm afraid it wasn't really concentrated on the game. Yes, I did see Shesh goes offside goal on the other side. And you can see that quite well from that seat as well.
Speaker: I did notice that I saw some nice counters of Arby Leipzig as well, which they bottled up. And I did notice this after half an hour, oops, Arby Leipzig is not pressing, you know, Bohm is pressing, they're not parking the bus. But maybe get to that a little bit later, because what I also noticed was something which is maybe a new tradition. That was quite funny, actually. Well, first of all, let me tell you, if the sun is shining like this on a hot day, like Saturday, don't despair, because you will always be in the shade.
Speaker: So this this part of the stadium is always in the shade. We never got the sun, while other people you know really were battling with the heat and then and the glaring sun. We didn't have to. I don't have to. So we were in the shade. So you can be relieved whenever you take that seat.
Speaker: Do you know those chants that they do where sector B, the home the core supporters shout out to a different section to respond. you know Sector B starts with Razen and they want another section like the grandstand to respond, Balsport. We call it Wexigesang in German.
Speaker: They did that you know did that of course with all sections and then at the end they came to Sector D, where I was used to be, and they called out, Sector D, Sector D. So they started, i said and you heard from Sector D on the other end, Bioshpot. But I could hear 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 people behind me yelling, Bioshpot.
Speaker: Obviously, these people are ex sector D season ticket holders who are expelled from sector D because of those price hikes, remember, like me? so I think we can start a nice little tradition here. Whenever they start yelling sector D, it's us as former sector D people. so I took a bit of comfort in that.
Speaker: But I have to say, you have a nice view, you can follow the game. It's great because you're close to the hardcore sector, to the fans as well. I didn't really hear much from the UA section, but they only had 800 -900 people apart from the beginning. Those Faufel supporters, they were only 8 -900. And they weren't those core Ultra hardcore supporters either, so they were enchanting all the time.
Speaker: But you have a great view, you're in the stadium, it's close to the catering um areas as well. But be aware, you know, when you come back with all these drinks, when you maneuver yourself down these deep steps, don't spill it. We got a few people who keep talking all the time as well.
Speaker: and um Some people were there all the time, so yeah you have to look past that. But of course, you can follow the game. You're there and it's great. It's wonderful. But I'm not sure if I'm going to get used to it in the next couple of weeks. So it's going to take longer time. So you may have to try it out. And I think you really really like it because it has a tactic view. And I know you love that.
Speaker: Yeah, of course I will. I spent the the the upper tier a few few games. And yeah, and you're absolutely right. I love that view. I love this tactical view. I love it when I can cover the whole pitch with with one eye. And so I'm really looking forward to enjoying my my views from from the this upper tier when I'm in this lucky situation, then you had me over your season ticket. Of course, I'm going to um goingnna be not the one who doesn't pay this year. see And I would like to add, ah you mentioned that you're missing this grass smell. really and yeah And you still wonder why this are the superior tickets, right? it's like kid okay So this experience isn't for free, my friend.
Speaker: okay But why why so many people bugger off early or to even show up and leave those seats empty so I can read RPL?
Speaker: Oh, maybe that's you're right. I don't know. Yeah. Okay, good. Thank you for sharing this story. Shall I share my key takeaway? I mean, my key takeaway is that I was distracted, was really watching football, but it wasn't an attractive game. It was super hot for us Germans anyway, and we're not a country with a lot of air conditioning. So by the way,
Speaker: And it was like a summer kick, but hey, Nusa scored. What a strange goal that was. That was like ricochet, when he was there in the right place at the right time. Beautiful story. At the end of the day, Mikey Takeaway is a win is a win. And maybe it's because I look back at the last match that we had at home versus Vauvel Bouchen, where we drew Neil and Neil, and it was really dire. And and here we at least won.
Speaker: But I'm not sure if it makes me really confident for our next match. I don't know about you. Me neither. I have to admit, I'm a little bit disappointed that our lads were lacking of ideas how to create chances with the ball possession game.
Speaker: um I was so so excited, you know, I explained it last week that we and now have lads and know how to play together, play for a whole season together. I only got this one new guy in in in this in the squad and he isn't even starting.
Speaker: And from that point of view, that was really disappointing. So so well i what I noticed that the only chances we created came from either counterattacks, set pieces, or individual errors. So like the ones, the one from Beryl, from which finally the goal happened.
Speaker: And with the, you know, view to the upcoming game at the offensive powerhouse, Leverkusen, I have to admit, I'm a little bit scared. But my key takeaway is, what a heck of a start for Noosa, eh?
Speaker: maybe all the
Speaker: who
Speaker: finished wow It's like, come on. Unbelievable. Who's that guy? Incredible. He wasn't on my radar at all. And now he got two goals in two games, and not only two goals were decisive goals, you know? Yeah. So if he weren't there, and know okay, the goal versus Essen was not a decisive one, to be fair.
Speaker: but in the first league game after four minutes coming onto the pitch scoring okay he was a little bit lucky but i like how how can convinced he was when he hit the ball you know he knew exactly what he was doing what was planned there was no um you know no not no no thinking at all yeah okay no heads up looking who might be in the better position no okay This ball is for me. This is my shot. I'm going to take it. I'm going to hit it into the back of the net. Great effort. So yeah, I'm really excited if this is just a little spark or if this is more like, okay, this this guy is really on fire and we um we have overwhelming performances and in the upcoming months.
Speaker: So if he if he's on fire like that and he keeps firing like this as well, I hope he ignites the whole team. me I think after Saturday's match, they might, they might even need that, but I am confident that they can come back. Not sure if Leverkusen actually comes in into early, but it's, you know, it's, it's just the beginning of the season as well. You cannot win the season, but he can lose it in the first weeks.
Speaker: o
Speaker: So okay, we're far well away from that to be fair. So do you want to look ahead? Can I just mention one more thing? Because you mentioned set pieces and my feeling was we are harmless at set feast pieces at the moment. It doesn't matter if it is corners, it doesn't matter if it is free kicks. It's like they try to introduce new routines.
Speaker: Or new tricks, let me put it this way. It didn't work. It seemed to backfire all the time. We're pretty harmless at at the moment. And hopefully that will change during the course of the season. It's just the beginning. And that that's a beautiful beautiful thing at the beginning of the season. You can be optimistic as hell.
Speaker: And you can't be too optimistic. I remember last year, you know, for our season opener versus Valve B Stuttgart. Jesus. You know, I thought we're going to kick out everybody, especially Valve B Stuttgart and Stuttgart. That's a different story. Yeah, we made five goals out of three chances. so Exactly. You know, we talked about it, I know. But yeah, I'm all right if you want to look ahead at the um clash versus Bayern with fear. So introducing our next opponent dare take care check
Speaker: Yeah. Powerhouse German champion, Cup winner by Leverkusen. Leverkusen just followed where they stopped last season. Scoring late. Annoying. It was annoying. I'm sorry. Scoring late in the Super Cup. Scoring super late in their first Bundesliga match out of ah well the softest penalty ever ruled. So yeah, come on.
Speaker: I watched the game, and there were like six minutes over the 90s, 19th minute, and then they played on. And suddenly, after two or three minutes, at least it felt like it was almost an eternity. There was that the ref grabbed his ear when he did this review area. And I was like, OK, what's going on here? And then you're going to count the slow motion for 155 times.
Speaker: And even after I watched it, all of those ah replays, I wasn't quite sure if this really was a penalty, and I was ah really surprised that the ref made that decision. And and then even the keeper saved the penalty, and then Florian Woods scored on the deflection.
Speaker: I know. That was super annoying even more than that, I must say. That makes me not really ah optimistic, so because it feels like, okay, nothing has has changed. And and yeah nothing has changed. That counts for the team as well. So it's but it's not basically, and it almost it is the same team like last season. So it's no wonder and that they're still that good.
Speaker: And, you know, I watched the game. I mentioned versus God. And it seemed that the whole squad was getting more confident with every pass they played, especially Shaka in the middle and their wingers. It's almost like like a cheat code, you know, with with all those speed they can bring up on their lanes.
Speaker: And it's hard to, for me at least, to name a preferred attacking aside for Leverkusen. So because they are so prolific on both lanes, left and right, and of course in the middle two. And did I mention Florian Wurz yet? No, like, okay. So he's like in a really good form early into the season. And this will be a heck of a task for our defense. And I would like have to mention where my um where my feelings come from that I am so um yeah so shaky about the upcoming match because we have to play without really open because he was sent off in the 85th minute at the game versus Borholm. And to me, it's like you know it's is's lacking really much other options other than sending out
Speaker: Raum, Lukieber, Klosterman, and Sima Khan as our bag 4. And I would like to ask you a question. Do you remember when we played last time itsation as back four with With Raum, Lukieber... Raum, Lukieber, Klosterman, and Sima Khan.
Speaker: That must have been a time when Willy Orban was injured. Yeah, really. Of course. But that was last season then, wasn't it? That was last season. Oh, not versus Leokusen. No? Really? No. Who? That was that game we played at Stuttgart.
Speaker: And it was horrible. That's a race from my memory, so we never played in Stuttgart. Horrible. That was the most dreadful game I watched last season. Yeah, besides one. Great. Besides The Awakened at Mainzberg. You know, we conceded five goals. And we were harmless. Hey, but a panda, go panda in Sheshko's court. Come on, what do you want?
Speaker: efficient in that game too. They had no chances and scored twice. But, you know, tower defense, come on, there was nothing. and and And now we have to send out those four lads again. Who was in goal? Was it Goulashy? No, it was Blaspich. By the way, playing with Salzburg at the moment when we're recording, and he's not only playing, he's the captain.
Speaker: of the Salzburg squad in the UCL qualification match versus Dinavukiev and their 1 -0 ahead. So, yeah, maybe we will see him. We will welcoming him again next season. Not this UCL season in Leipzig. Okay, that would be funny. Okay, but I know. But that match versus Stuttke was really bad. So, how does that make you feel? Very optimistic, doesn't it? No, not at all. Not at all. So, you know, we won't have a clean sheet.
Speaker: yeah think i I think it's pretty obvious. so And um the question is, are we able to concede not more than two and are we able to score two or more ah to get away with the win? And so if you're asking, are there any vulnerable? um Yes, there are, but but still on a very high level.
Speaker: um To me, you know, they ain't got no really weaknesses. So, you know, like Frimpong, in my opinion, is lacking a bit in terms of his defensive effort. and Jonas Hofmann was not really good in form, at least in the match at Gladbach, but still not bad, you know, it just like a little drop off compared to the rest of the team. And so was Andrej, in my opinion, he was often a little bit late and and in tech links and received the yellow card.
Speaker: And, you know, with a little bit more, you know, um decisive ref, he might send off as well. But um yeah, still still ah different defensively a very good Bundesliga squad.
Speaker: um So we are an Arby Leipzig podcast, you know and and I would like to to unbox everything that speaks for Arby El this time, but you know I don't see that there's any good chance that we get away from Leverkusen with more than nothing.
Speaker: Oh, that good. Yeah. Wow. Sorry. But let me ask you a question. Has your view changed in the course of the week after watching Ari Leipzig playing Borgham at home? A little bit. Yeah, because I was also disappointed enough. What was different?
Speaker: I expected that we are had more ideas with, with the ball. So we hadn't apparently. And that, you know, but the thing that's I'm more concerned about is that we have to send out those other four that ah that really open is not wrong. Okay. That makes me really, really ah nervous. Yeah. Nervous, anxious whatsoever.
Speaker: But if you think, okay, we may not win, but what would need to happen to snatch a point? we i mean we have to We have to find ways to to keep them busy. We have to find ways to to keep the ball with us so that the Leverkusen is the squad that's chasing around all over the place. um And so that we we can rest a little with ball possession and trying to find solutions versus a yeah versus i did defending squad. Is that possible?
Speaker: It has to if you ask me what what what you ask me what has to happen if we want to get off get off by level cousin in with some something and in now in our backpacks. um So yeah, this has to happen. Is it possible? Well, I think and both um in both halves for like five to 10 minutes. Yeah. So 20 minutes. It's it's always it's all we got. Guys, what a lot of beer for Saturday.
Speaker: It's a Saturday night in Germany, okay? But if you think back of our home match versus by Leverkusen, I remember that was after, I think it was after the City game, wasn't it? Or somehow it reminded me of the City game and and City really had huge ball position. They kept us busy, but still we managed to to score on a counter and with Leverkusen was similar.
Speaker: ah For a while, I think it was this kind of equal in the first half, and then we scored twice, and I think twice on the counter. But as the game progressed, Leverkusen had the ball more and more, and you got the feeling, it's just a matter of time when they equalize and score in the very last minute. How do you break through that? How do you keep them busy? It seems like nobody's able to do that at the moment, apart from Adalanta back. That was my time exit.
Speaker: you know You have to to show an an enormous level of ball handling and and safety safety circling around. You have no room at all for any individual error. So with every pass you play, the the chance of an individual error is increasing.
Speaker: And you know I think our lads didn't show a really high amount of self -confidence. And this is what you need. You need to go out with the with fifty the the convincing you know convincing attitude.
Speaker: This is our game that we're going to win. And I don't think that this our lads are in that situation right now. What does it take to be in that mindset?
Speaker: Um, wins, I suppose. It wins. And if not wins, then, then convincing games. convin for instance So, and and we had a lot of that last season, you know, you might remember I, I had more often than not a yeah fair verdict about the, um, but the performance of our of our team, even when they weren't winning.
Speaker: Exactly, like Eintracht Frankfurt. We were disappointed, but he said, you weren't worried at all. Real Madrid. They were state -like robbery. yeah so yeah and We don't go into that again. now I don't still don't like that guy. I'm mentioning any names, number seven. who number seven Anyway, but but he's a great football player, by the way. Unfortunately, maybe we'll see him again. You never know.
Speaker: Okay. So it's, it's very difficult to extract something out of you, which is a little bit more optimism. I tried, but I think I'm going to give up on that. But what would you tell Marco Rosa to tell the team? Be relentless.
Speaker: Don't care. Don't care what happens. Be relentless all the time. Don't let them any room to breathe. and okay and who do you think he's going to send on the pitch this time for confidence so okay i expect goulashy staying into staying in the goal the bag four i already mentioned mentioned it again so lukeba close the man simar karn and then um
Speaker: I'm curious. I'd like to see, you given Noosa, this starting job. So like, come on, you hate got nothing to lose. Yeah. And replacing Kampa with Haidara and defensive midfield next to Saiba. Though he wasn't convincing at all versus Boho, but that's not a story.
Speaker: And then I would like to see Nusa next to Xavi in the offensive of midfield. And our two strikers are indisputable, I think, with Goldpanda and Jesko. Did I understand correctly Heydara? He's in the ah starting 11. He's played in the offensive midfield. I would like to see defensive midfield to make it a little bit more stable, too. Yeah, because I think he's superior to Kanto.
Speaker: Yeah, especially, well, Kumbo had his difficulties, I think, versus Bohum. Of course, he always tries and he always fights, but... He had starting issues as well, I think.
Speaker: um I got a different question. You know, I read on on social media, on Twitter, you know, when the team was celebrating and the people came out, the players came out to say thank you to the different sections. And of course, I can see them better now when they're in front of the hardcore home fans in Sector B. And Yusuf Posen was there and carrying one of his children and somebody acknowledged and said, um well, he seemed to be really emotional.
Speaker: and trying to to say goodbye. Now the ah transfer window is still open. There were rumors or messages that if he wants to leave, he could leave, which I can't really imagine. What do you think the odds are that he's actually she going to be there in, well, he can still be in Leverkusen. I think the window shuts on that day, doesn't it?
Speaker: You know, um we I think we talked about it last week too, or at least we we talked about it that each other without recording a podcast. and Maybe. Do we do that? Sometimes.
Speaker: yeah well you know I cannot imagine that. so He doesn't deserve that. Okay. Definitely. And especially, you know, just just not seeing him next week. Remember when Forsberg left and we said, okay, it can only get worse when Paulson leaves.
Speaker: that tear -jerking moments, and and and he would need, I don't know, a really super grand farewell, and but nothing like that. Yeah, it feels like kicking them out, like five days before the transfer window closes, kicking them out, and you don't do that to a player who who played for a club for like 11 years now. It's so strange. So I don't think there's any chance this is going to happen.
Speaker: And even more, ah but so bear in mind that silver should go to, ahead has to go according to the front office. um So I cannot imagine sending away two strikers. So we're leaving us basically with the gold panda and Shasko. Oh yeah. And then Baumgarten if he wants to.
Speaker: Yeah, but he's, he's not like the, the box striker. Like those are exactly, exactly. And I remember conversations. Okay. Just was curious what you thought about that, but how do you feel if silver leaves again, because you said in the last couple of episodes that you would actually see, and see him staying at lights again, popping up, strike a unit.
Speaker: I think if he leaves, this is pretty safe, a economically wise decision. so But all on the other hand side, you know, sports wise, I would like to say, okay, come on, keep in and given chances. I guess we'll see. So it'll be interesting. So you said we're not going to get away with anything with score.
Speaker: Ah, it's going to be an ugly night for us and Liverpool get away with the 3 -1 win. Nah, I think we're going to snatch a point. I don't know how it's going to be too old. You know, I'm going to show a different face. Different day, different face. Smaller stadium by the Autobahn.
Speaker: We'll steal some of their pills, you know, have an energy drink. We'll be flying.
Speaker: All right, Richard, let's move on to our next topic. But Richard, before we move on, there's a confession we need to make because what you've been listening to up to this point, we had recorded two days ago. We're kind of cheating. So in that episode or in that part, we were alluding to the fact that Mr. Yusuf Paus might be on the verge of leaving Arby Leipzig if he may choose us to, but There has been a development in the meantime, and according to Mr. Guido Schafer, leading sports journalist of the Leipzig -Alford Zeitung, it is very certain up to 99 .9 % that use of power will remain in Leipzig. So we just want to clear that up and put everybody on ease. People out there, just relax. Use of
Speaker: is going. It's not going anywhere. So that's the good news. On the other hand, Andre Silva, it's alluded to that he does want to leave the club and he should be leaving the club. So we will need to see what's going to happen until Saturday night. Is it Saturday night when the transfer for window shuts?
Speaker: But of course, ah saveva for Silver, we're not going to get all the money back that we paid initially. Well, we we like to pay 23 million, more in the region of 10, 11, 12. He might be loaned out as well, but I guess we will see. In a way, it's a shame because I still believe he could play a good part in in our team. And yeah, Monsieur, with the hefty price tag of around 50 million.
Speaker: Guido Shaver thinks that Mo does fancy a change of scenery, which would be kind of sad. But if he likes to move on for that money, then I guess we can't say no, or they shouldn't say no. Arby Leipzig shouldn't say no. Apparently, there have been requests from top teams, including Liverpool, I think, and one of the top teams in Saudi Arabia.
Speaker: We will see what's going to happen there, but that would only make sense if R .B. Leipzig finds a replacement quite quickly. But Mr. Giedus Schafer is very confident that the sporting directors of R .B. Leipzig have something in their pipeline. They are prepared. So let's see what's going to happen. We'll find out soon. and But Richard, let's move on to the last topic. And the reason why we're recording it today is because it happened today, isn't it?
Speaker: Yes, it happened about two hours ago. The UCL draw took place in this whole new um style of of yeah playing this so -called group stage. It is not in the group stage anymore. It's a league phase, so to speak. Exciting. So instead of three, we now will face eight different opponents in the Ralph Robin stage, so to speak. And so I watched it live and and I texted you the message and and I told you, I texted only, wow, what what for what for opponents?
Speaker: And you told me, don't tell me now, don't tell me yet. and Because you didn't watch, and I guess you didn't know it up to now, right? No, I have no clue. But now I kind of have a suspicion when you tell me, wow, what look at these opponents. I'm like, oh my god. Easy way to the final, probably not. I prepared. I tried to prepare myself to ask you a few questions about each of our opponents.
Speaker: Okay, and you have to guess all right. All right, so and I will give you a little a little hint at So we will face two clubs from England two clubs from Italy one club from Spain And I won't tell you the other countries. No not no no That would have been too easy. so But let's start from worst to first, okay? So, you know, the yeah our opponents were drawn from the different seeding pots. So we were in part one and and we will now face two opponents from each pot. And I would like to start with the opponents from part four. Okay.
Speaker: And the first one, it's an away game. So I don't know if it's the first game we play. so the yeah the The schedule will not be revealed until Saturday. Okay. So by the first opponent I would like to mention here is a club of former teammates for RBL.
Speaker: okay Which country? you You have to give him the country. Okay. He played for RBL from 2014 to 2016. Oh, so I did see him. Yeah, he made 22 appearances and 17 more for our second squad in the Regionaliga. Oh, really? Yeah. Oh, I have no bloody clue. He is Austrian.
Speaker: ah
Speaker: You don't have to tell me the the name of the players. I will tell you because I don't think that you have any chance of guessing right. No, because I was thinking of Ilsa, but Ilsa is not a player. No. And of course we you know we didn't have so many other Austrian players.
Speaker: ah um that but It's not Arby Salzburg, is it? No, it's not. It's it's the other club. It's Stormgards. And I was talking about Stefan Härländer. Oh, gosh. Who? Sorry, who? Stefan Härländer. Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker: little one but ten years ago come on yeah okay so when we are traveling to they're gonna hate us because they hate everyone else in Austria and and especially everyone that has something in common on with Red Bull right exactly okay swim car sounds like a war but anyway Yeah, the 1984 UEFA Cup quarter finalists and reigning Austrian champions. Okay. Okay. So let's move on. Stromgraz, our first opponent. Second opponent we will face at home from port four is a club we faced never. Okay. just Good. Just like Stromgraz, Stromgraz, at least in competitive matches, but twice in friendlies already. Ooh.
Speaker: We managed to win one of them and lose the other one. And it's the yeah seven time FA Cup winners and seven time English champion. I think most recently 1981 or something like that from o she from Birmingham.
Speaker: Aston Villa. Go right. We will face Aston Villa at home. You know what? I didn't even know they qualified. I'm so bad. They had a heck of a season. And we lost to them just recently, didn't we? Yeah, we played friendly. Yeah, they weren't very friendly to us. Didn't they have a pretty good start in the Premier League this year?
Speaker: No, they they're not so bad. No, they'll they they won. You had the one versus wolves. And then lost at home was awesome. Okay, so let's move on. swim car And as the villa. Okay. And it won't get easier, as you might guess. So from pot, I love this game. do We make up long German words as well. Next time. Yeah.
Speaker: the opponent we will face on the road in one of the most atmospheric and noisy grounds in football. ah turish We've been there already. oh god Its nickname is a place millions of people are longing for, but if you have to play there, it can be hell.
Speaker: Okay, I tried to make a little ah little you know fancy offensive sentence. ah know if If you talk about very noisy stadiums, I think of Turkey, but maybe I'm wrong. Yeah, you're totally wrong. It's it'sly wrong you know totally wrong. um Okay, so I will give you another hint. In the stands, you can often find one of the most important singers and songwriters of all time with numerous number one hits.
Speaker: And our lads have proven already that they can stand the pressure. And yeah we won there almost two years ago to the day. Oh, bloody hell. I tried to, I tried to give you a hint. That's a hint. This would be very obvious when you tell me, but right now, unless we say in German, iia of tim okay, we will tell you the paradise.
Speaker: Oh, so it's salty. I think I see. And you know, it's Rod Stewart, who usually... Oh, Roddy. Yeah, of course. Rod Stewart. And it's a heck of a... Do you think it was a wig? Anyway, no. Yeah, this is going to be a a heck of a task. Oh, my God. Okay, the last time was successful. Yeah, we won 2 -0 on the boot stage. But before that, we just took beatings, didn't we?
Speaker: Yeah, no, we got beaten once. So the semi -final we lost was Ranges. Yeah, exactly. But yeah believe the first times we we ah we played Celtic away, we lost. We didn't have any chance. Yeah, we lost 2 -1. That's great.
Speaker: Yeah. Have a last time. Great. Great. Okay. Yep. Very interesting. So that's going to be a way. Okay. Okay. The, yeah our home opponent from pot three is, is another club he never faced. Never ever, even in friendlies. And it's the cradle in the footballing terms of Ornalo and Luis Figo. Okay. 20 times Portuguese champion. Most recently, 2024.
Speaker: We never played them yet. 1964 Cup Winners' Cup champions, come on. Benfico, is it Benfico?
Speaker: No. They're sporting. Yes. Oh my gosh, yeah got you had a 50 % chance and you bottled it. I did. You just want a job to do. Okay, you're going to do this next episode on your own, aren't you?
Speaker: No, please. Cause I'm not qualified. Obviously. i What do I know about football? Okay. You can, you will get four more chances now and it's going to be a bit easier because I told you the the other countries already. Yeah, you did. So go ahead. Next one. Okay. Next one. Uh, from pot number two, our away opponent is a reunion with one of our former strikers and last season's top scorer in La Liga.
Speaker: e No. and And who would think that? No one of us doesn't, at least. No, we're not Sirloed. Yes.
Speaker: No, he's going to kill us. Maybe. So we played once versus them, and there wasn't it twenty two corona you a UAF Champions League tournament in Lisbon, and we won this 2 -1, and it was our greatest success ever in European competition.
Speaker: Yeah. And we acquired a new midfielder from them just a few days ago. I know what I'm talking about. I don't, well, no, I just, no, I don't know. You have now a one -on -a -three chance. I have a free chance? One, one -on -a -three. One -on -a -three chance. Listen, I know he's with the Spanish club, but I never paid too much attention to him. I just knew that all of a sudden he kept scoring and I couldn't believe it. It was like, what? Why? Okay. We're going to face Atletico.
Speaker: Atletico. Away. Away. Easy. Yeah, it's away. Easy. Our home opponent from part two. It's a little bit so no easier, maybe. I don't know. me um It's the 1995 UCL winners. 20 years ago. No, not 20, but 18 years ago. ah They had to play one season in the second tier. of it Because of a betting scandal?
Speaker: Well, if you want to call it like that. And did the famous goalie also go down with them to play in the... He state and Pavel Nedret state and some of the De Piedo state. But that is a really nice opponent, to be honest. Are we going to play them at home? Yeah, it's a home opponent. It's Juve, isn't it? Yes.
Speaker: correct this is nice okay that's gonna be a really good one that'll be that'll be interesting we're pleased with that not sure if you're gonna win it but it's gonna be a great match um obviously i'm looking forward to that yeah brilliant and so from part number one um i'm sorry i didn't manage to prepare this little game to the end so i have to improvise a little um
Speaker: Our away opponent has to share its stadium with another big club from the city.
Speaker: um I guess Slaton played for them. Slaton Ibrahimovic. It's not really a hint because he played for both clubs from this city. okay yeah okay um Is there a player we really don't like? Is there somebody who we really despise? No, I don't think so. Not really. Okay. and Okay, I'm gonna make it short. It's Internationale. Yeah, you played for them for quite a while. I think also Beckham, didn't he? I'm not quite sure. Okay.
Speaker: So, but that's a ah way match. Yeah, that's our way opponent. It's not bad. And finally. yes I don't see us. ah And they we're not without any chance there. No, we we're not with a chance, Stephanie. Okay. Oh no. And here we go. Here we go. Our last opponent. Is an opponent we faced in the UC unlock out stage already?
Speaker: in the knockout at the knockout stage a few years ago. And we faced them in one friendly match too. And it would be nice if we are going to finally score at least a goal. We never scored. Never scored. We lost in the competitive match. It's, uh, we lost two nil, both matches, both legs, and in the friendly, we lost five nil. And it is a competitive match, competitive match played in Budapest. Yeah. Those two. Yeah, correct. Ah, and we lost because that stadium had red seats and that yeah it choice is quite nice. Of course. Ain't getting nothing to do with it. They were the better team. They were the better team. So are we playing them at home? Yeah. Perfect. I mean, who wants to go to Anfield? If they if don't have to go to Anfield. Well, we could sell. We're going to see Shobo again.
Speaker: Yes. And Kona T. Kona T. Yes, Liverpool FC coming to town. Congratulations. Cool game. But this one, I'm not sure if we have a lot of chances.
Speaker: We will see, you never know. We will see. I think, you know, our chances in general and to go into the knockout stage or k knockout stages or playoff round, whatever you want to call it, are not that bad. So because um imagine you can be the 24th club in this 36 side league and still can win this whole the whole match, sim the whole game. You can go all the way.
Speaker: ah So because, you know, the the first eight clubs in this league phase will have a week off, so to speak. So they have quite a like diare league have a biweek ah they're gonna qualified directly. directly for the round of 16. Is there anything like if you finish in the top four, you get home for your advantage? Is there anything like that?
Speaker: If you finish in the top eight, you're going to home field a venture in the second leg. It's because the teams from nine to 24 are going to play a playoff round, so to speak. And the end there's those 16 sides and the eight winners are going to face the top seed at eight clubs from from the big phase. So if you're finishing from nine to 16,
Speaker: 16. You're gonna have the home field advantage in the second leg. So the seeded teams and you if you finish ninth place, you cannot fit a face the 10th place club in the league. yeah So okay, you can either face the 17th team or 24th.
Speaker: And so I expect us to. Sorry, but anything beyond 25 is out. Okay. Yeah, yeah youre totally out. No, no, really. What's up. You're out. and Okay. So it's a weird system. It's really packed schedule, isn't it? It's one more, no, two more matches. Two more two more matches. it Plus this extra pre -playoff round you want to call that way. So four more weekend thingy. more Four more matches. Yeah.
Speaker: It's really tight. Wow. and um Okay. i thought I thought about it a bit and I was like, okay, it's eight games for every side. So you can at maximum points you can gain is 24. And I don't see any club earning more than 21.
Speaker: So, and if you imagine this this whole, you know, this whole league is is is pretty, you know, it's not balanced, but it's not polarized either. I think there's a smooth, you know, um decreasing in points from 1 to 24. Okay.
Speaker: So I guess, um, if we win like two of our home games and so good okay, imagine me isn't against Liverpool. It's is okay. It can happen. Um, win against, uh, what was the other home win against, uh, you, you vendors or at least a draw. And then, uh, we are going to win versus sporting and of course, versus Willard. Yeah.
Speaker: ah There have been like seven points at home, so we can, I think, get away with the win at Storm Guards and at Celtic, so that would add another six. So weak so between, I think but between 13 and 15 points, this is our outcome most likely.
Speaker: And I expect us with, so it's like, you know, a bit more of 50 % of every point you can get. So I think we will finish at the seeded teams for the playoff round. So something between 9 and 16. So that's what I expect from all that. But we would have an extra round to enter the final 16.
Speaker: Yeah, to to be fair, I think our opponents are way too too strong. Imagine, we it it could have been, okay, Storm Guards is by far the weakest, but one of the weakest that was so on the table, but it could have also been from part three, ah Young Boys and Red Star again. yeah yeah Yeah. So I think, and and what we get from part three is Celtic and sporting. Okay, this is no disrespect to Young Boys and Red Star, but hey, come on, this is this feels like another tier.
Speaker: Yeah, true. Exciting though. I didn't think I would find it that interesting because I was so, so used to the group stages, but yeah, let's just see how it goes. But it's going to be a tight schedule also for us then. And, uh, for the team and our squad is not that big, but we will see what's going to happen to the end of the transfer window. Pretty exciting stuff. I'm just pleased we're not playing Basa and not playing Danny Alamo.
Speaker: I'm pleased when I'm playing Real Madrid. I don't want to see them again. Also, got a bit tired of City beating us all the time. Although it was was quite ah close in the away game.
Speaker: So there's some new opponents, some new faces, so I quite like that. It's not bad. Yeah, I agree. The heart is is hot matches, and but I'd like to fact too that we are facing ah both familiar opponents and all new. It's cool. And we will travel to new destinations never been.
Speaker: Wow. Looking forward to that. Do you know when, um, I know you said on Saturday, the schedule is going to be released, but, uh, when, when was the first, it was middle of September when it was September and 17th. Okay. It's going to be, it's going to be wild. Yeah. Let's see how it goes. And let's see how it affects all these teams who are in the champions league, how it affects them. Then they are domestically.
Speaker: days There are more games now, so it might shake up some of the teams. If you could choose ah from our eight opponents to face first, which club would it be? Good question.
Speaker: I don't know. I tend to want to like, uh, to face Liverpool because at home, at home beautiful game. They are in the beginning of their season. We're in the beginning of our season. It might be the best time to accurate them a little bit. And if we don't.
Speaker: you know If you lose that, then at least you face the top team. And then as you progress, you learned from that and it might help you in another match, which is more important to win, like at Glasgow, at Celtic. If I could choose, i I'd rather start at Inter. Interesting. I wouldn't have thought about that. Why?
Speaker: I ah guess that our appearances home in a way are alternating. So we most likely would have an in home game in week eight. um And on the other hand side, I think it's it's, it's, it's cool for us if the the pressure to win the first one isn't isn't there. So we um So, you you know, you can travel to to Milan and you can come home with a point that is okay. And you have a decent chance to win there, in my opinion, at least. um So you could, um yeah, come up with some um some room to breathe. So I told you, I expect us to to gather around 13 to 15 points. And if you manage to gain the first three in a very first match,
Speaker: at that would put up some breathing space for maybe the upcoming clashes versus Atletico and then maybe at home versus Liverpool, um where you are the underdog, no doubt. Interesting.
Speaker: all to be revealed very soon. But thanks for playing this little game with me. And I'm rubbish at that. But at least I know now who we're going to face. And at some point, I'm going to check out who the other teams are going to face. It's probably going to be really interesting. At the end of the day, it's probably an excellent marketing strategy strategy that they've gone for, an excellent tactic that they've applied to make this competition more interesting.
Speaker: but also more lucrative. So we shall see. Thank you so very much, Richard, and thank you for enlightening us. So, guys, this has been Balls and Reds, the weekly, well, at least weekly, footy podcast in English from the heart of Leipzig, your host, Richard and Mario. We live here, and we do this little pod to invite you to have a look at our Arby Leipzig world.
Speaker: And you can follow us on ah Twitter. Our content, our name is at podcast underscore RBL. If you want to get in touch, you can send us an old school email, which is podcast at bullsandred .com. We're also on Instagram, which the name is bullsandred. And guys, if you like this pot, it would be great if you could give it a thumbs up and potentially subscribe to it. That'll be wonderful.
Speaker: We're going to wish you a good week. Have a look forward to our, we're all looking forward to our clash with Bayer Leverkusen. Hopefully it turns out to be better than we thought on Tuesday. We know Leverkusen had their cup tie versus cards I see in a beautiful stadium they got in Jena, which they scraped through with 1 -0 win and Jena, who are playing in the fourth tier of our league system. But as Richard acknowledged after the match, he is still not so optimistic because they had and now eight eight new additions, you said, eight new additions and still managed to win. So we shall see. Thanks a lot, everybody. And all it leaves me to say now is, auf gütze Leipzigerjungs!
