Bundesliga
It’s a huge test for RB Leipzig as they restart their 2018/19 Bundesliga season at home to league leaders Borussia Dortmund, but goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi is out to upset the title hopefuls and finally stop BVB and their captain Marco Reus.
Something surely has to give on Saturday evening when the league’s best defence hosts the most potent attack, and the Hungary international is determined to ensure that the former prevails and he can add to his league-high seven clean sheets.
Speaking to German sports publication Bild, the 28-year-old stated, “My aim is that I won’t be beaten on Saturday. I want to keep a clean sheet.” However, the former Liverpool and Red Bull Salzburg stopper knows Leipzig need to be wary of Borussia’s attack, and Reus in particular.
“We have to be alert and clever in our play because Dortmund don’t just have players in the starting XI who can decide the game, but also on the bench,” Gulacsi said, no doubt in reference to Bundesliga top scorer Paco Alcacer, who has 10 of his 12 goals in the league this season from just eight substitute appearances.
But when asked who Leipzig have to watch out for in particular, the goalkeeper replied succinctly, “Marco Reus. He’s having an outstanding season.”
Gulacsi knows first-hand the threat posed by the Germany international, who has two goals and an assist in his last two appearances against Die Roten Bullen, including one of each in the 4-1 win on the opening weekend of this season.
The fact that Dortmund have only failed to score once in the Bundesliga this season (on Matchday 2 at Hannover) is a “greater incentive” for Gulacsi, who points out that Leipzig “managed to keep both Hertha Berlin and Borussia Mönchengladbach, who both have impressive attacks, at bay, so it’s down to us”.
Gulacsi concluded with a statement of confidence for the defenders in front of him: “We’ve got plenty of pace at the back so we don’t need to fear this Dortmund attack.” Will the immovable object be able to resist the unstoppable force? Find out on Saturday (kick-off 6:30pm CET/5:30pm GMT/12:30pm ET).