Bundesliga
Nagelsmann: “Bayern and Gladbach feel pressure when we win”
RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann believes his side’s 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Saturday was about more than just three points, stating that it increased the pressure on title rivals Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach to keep up the pace at the top.
Die Roten Bullen eased to a home win over Werder on Matchday 22, with first-half strikes from Lukas Klostermann and Patrik Schick paving the way for the triumph, before Nordi Mukiele sealed the deal with a well-taken finish 30 seconds into the second period.
The result lifted Nagelsmann’s charges two points clear of Bayern at the league summit, ahead of the defending champions’ fixture away to Cologne on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking to bundesliga.com afterwards, he outlined why the victory was also an important psychological advantage.
“It’s always a good feeling to be at the top of the league,” the 32-year-old said. “And it’s always not that good a feeling for our rivals – for Bayern and Gladbach – if they see that we win the game.
“If they see that we lose then it’s easier for them and they won’t feel much pressure, but today they will feel pressure. So it’s always good for us to win - and for them to see that we win.”
Eagle-eyed Bundesliga observers will notice that Nagelsmann did not mention Borussia Dortmund – currently in third place and three points behind Leipzig - among the potential title candidates.
Watch: Nagelsmann: "It's good that Bayern and Gladbach see us win"
A pointed barb? The start of long-distance mind games with BVB? The reality is probably rather more pragmatic: Dortmund had already played their Matchday 22 fixture on Friday, their 4-0 thumping of Eintracht Frankfurt sending out a crystal clear message of its own.
Regardless, Gladbach duly rose to Nagelsmann’s challenge, muscling their way past local rivals Fortuna Düsseldorf 4-1 in the Saturday evening game to leave just three points separating the top four – and putting the onus very much on Bayern to respond with a victory over their own.
Yet irrespective of the result of that match against Cologne, Nagelsmann was satisfied with his charges after they extended their unbeaten run to three games following draws with both Bayern and Gladbach in recent weeks, especially in light of a tricky run of upcoming fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League, as well as Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen.
Watch: How Nagelsmann has improved Leipzig
“We were very good defensively in the first half, we were aggressive and alert to the transitions,” he said. “We always looked dangerous when it came to creating chances and we were finally able to score again.
“After we got our third we slowed the tempo down, but the boys still played very well. We made some changes with a view to the Tottenham game and tried a few things out, because we’ll be without Dayot Upamecano for that one.”