RB Leipzig coach Demichelis seeks serious start in DFB-Pokal debut

RB Leipzig begins its DFB-Pokal campaign with an away match against lower-league side Eintracht Trier. New head coach Martín Demichelis stressed the importance of a "serious" performance, stating the team has analyzed their opponent but will primarily focus on their own strengths and areas for improvement.

"We have great respect for every opponent and have analyzed Eintracht Trier thoroughly," Demichelis said before his first competitive match. "At the same time, the focus is on us: on our strengths and on the things we want to do better. I expect a serious game from us tomorrow – with and against the ball."

The team, however, will be without several players. Striker Romulo is out with a tendon irritation, and Tidiam Gomis will start ahead of Conrad Harder. Additionally, Assan Ouédraogo (shoulder injury), Christoph Baumgartner (knee injury), Eljif Elmas (training incident), and Maxime Esteve (thigh injury) are unavailable.

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We have great respect for every opponent and have analyzed Eintracht Trier thoroughly. At the same time, the focus is on us: on our strengths and on the things we want to do better. I expect a serious game from us tomorrow – with and against the ball.