Adi Hütter on…
…the match at Leipzig: “I have ideas about how Leipzig will set up against us tomorrow. They’ve won three out of four games this year, keeping a clean sheet in the last three. I’m expecting pace and power from a team who are in very good form. The table doesn’t lie. At the same time, we’re also yet to lose this year. It will come down to fine margins: losses of possession, transitions, set pieces. I’m expecting an attractive game of football and one in which we’ll have to be at the top of our game. If we manage that, we can get a positive result.”
…the importance of the match in the race for European places: “People will look at the table and see it as fourth against fifth, but as a coach I see that there’s still a lot of football left to play. We have a heavy schedule with a lot of big games coming up. If we lose then Leipzig will be eight points clear – a win could move us closer to the top. The match is certainly significant but not decisive. Nothing’s settled until after Matchday 34.”
…the personnel situation: “David Abraham is not available for tomorrow. Marc Stendera has a slight problem and will also miss out. Lucas Torró is progressing well but he’s not there yet, nor are Almamy Touré or Tuta, who’s only just come back from Brazil. Everyone else is available for selection. Martin Hinteregger played well against Borussia Dortmund and he now has a week of training under his belt, so he’ll play tomorrow.”
…expectations: “I won’t stop anyone from dreaming, and it’s also important to have high aims. We need to remain humble, though. We’re certainly not saying we don’t want to be at the top, but we also recognise the competition behind us. It won’t be easy to establish a grip at the top. It’s important that the lads want it but know where we’re coming from. We certainly won’t give up our position without a fight.”
