Ole Werner and Baumgartner reflect on RB Leipzig’s poor display in Leverkusen | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen deservedly took all three points against RB Leipzig as Patrik Schick scored his fifth Bundesliga hat-trick in the game against his former club. The 4-1 scoreline was a bit of a shock for the visitors, but they’re still in the driving seat for the Champions League qualification.

“That Leverkusen are a strong side is nothing new,” said Ole Werner after the game. “What was missing was our own performance. We knew Leverkusen were very good through the middle. We didn’t handle it well and couldn’t get a grip defensively. In attack, we were too slow and laboured for long spells too.”

Werner enjoyed a decent debut season in Leipzig after taking over the club when they missed out on Europe for the very first time. However, they have lost both games to Leverkusen by an aggregate scoreline of 7-2.

“We’ll be pushed all the way to the end of the season. St. Pauli are fighting with everything they have to stay up as well. We’ll need to be right at our best there, too. We’ll be well prepared.” added the coach as he looks forward to next week’s game.

Christoph Baumgartner, who scored Leipzig’s solitary goal for his 14th of the season, also shared his coach’s sentiment. “They fully deserved the three points. Games like that can happen. They shouldn’t, but they happen to every team. We can’t let our heads drop. We have to analyse it and look forward,”

For Baumgartner, the poor performances in big games could be down to a lack of experience. “Maybe we’re still lacking a bit of experience, but ultimately it’s about where you are in the table. I’m still convinced we’ll qualify for the Champions League. I expect a full house against St. Pauli, and I’m convinced we’ll get it done.”

Including an aggregate defeat of 11-2 to champions Bayern, six of Leipzig’s eight defeats came against teams in the top six this season. They also failed to hold on to their leads against second-placed Borussia Dortmund home and away.