Share

No snoozing for Bundesliga leaders Leipzig in title race

Berlin - RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann is trying to ensure the Bundesliga leaders stay alert at Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend amid an intensifying title race by organising a sleep seminar.

Bayern Munich's seven-year domination in Germany is under threat with Leipzig, Gladbach, Dortmund and Schalke all in the hunt for this season's title.

Leipzig travel to mid-table Frankfurt looking to maintain their four-point lead over second-placed Bayern and extend a 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Striker Timo Werner is level with Bayern star Robert Lewandowski as the league's joint top scorer with 20 goals after netting twice in last weekend's 3-1 home win over Union Berlin.

In an effort to squeeze every advantage Nagelsmann brought in sleep experts to brief his squad about getting better rest between games.

"It was about improving sleep quality -- sleeping in the right rhythms and spending less time checking the mobile or watching television in the evening to keep blue light to a minimum," explained Nagelsmann.

Leipzig were caught napping when Union took a shock first-half lead last Saturday before Werner scored either side of a goal by captain Marcel Sabitzer.

"We need to be completely greedy in wanting to defend our goal and give nothing away," Nagelsmann warned. 

Leipzig snapped up promising goalkeeper Josep Martinez from Las Palmas in midweek and are reportedly close to signing Dinamo Zagreb's Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo as well.

Bayern host high-flying Schalke, who clawed back into the title picture with a 2-0 home win over Gladbach following the winter break.

The defending champions have strengthened their injury-hit defence by signing right-back Alvaro Odriozola on loan from Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old could made his debut at the Allianz Arena and gives head coach Hansi Flick options in a back four depleted by injuries to centre-backs Niklas Suele and Lucas Hernandez.

"I'm already thinking about the game against Schalke and hope to play," said Odriozola upon his arrival.

Schalke could also hand a debut to French centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, who is on loan from Barcelona. 

Schalke last beat Bayern in 2011, but David Wagner's side has improved since the 3-0 home loss to the Bavarians in August when Lewandowski bagged a hat-trick.

"We have really developed since and our goal is to play good football in Munich. If we do that, we have a good chance of taking something away," said Schalke sports director Jochen Schneider. 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Arsenal 1
Chelsea 0
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1843 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1810 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1100 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 470 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 261 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE