Sometimes, even the best-laid plans unravel on the pitch. That was the case for RB Leipzig this weekend, as they suffered a harsh reality check against Bayer Leverkusen. Patrik Schick, playing against his former club, delivered a masterclass, netting his fifth Bundesliga hat-trick to lead Leverkusen to a commanding 4-1 victory. The scoreline was a jolt for the visitors, but with Champions League qualification still within reach, the focus now shifts to regrouping.
“That Leverkusen are a strong side is nothing new,” reflected Ole Werner after the match. “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, who enjoyed a promising debut season after taking the reins when Leipzig missed out on European football, has now seen his side lose both meetings with Leverkusen by a combined 7-2 margin. It’s a bitter pill, but one he’s determined to swallow.
Looking ahead to next week’s clash with St. Pauli, Werner struck a resilient tone: “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.”
Christoph Baumgartner, who scored Leipzig’s lone goal for his 14th of the campaign, echoed his coach’s sentiments. “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.” The midfielder suggested that a lack of experience in high-stakes fixtures might be a factor. “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.”
The numbers paint a telling picture: six of Leipzig’s eight losses this season have come against top-six sides, including an aggregate 11-2 defeat to champions Bayern Munich. They’ve also struggled to hold leads against second-placed Borussia Dortmund in both home and away fixtures. For a team with Champions League ambitions, these are growing pains that need to be addressed—and fast.