By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- After promoted RB Leipzig stunned the German Bundesliga by finishing second, they are now entering unchartered territory ahead of their first Champions League away game against Besiktas Istanbul on Tuesday evening.
As opponents are reacting to Leipzig's fast counter attacking football with a destructive and defensive strategy, the club has to adjust its style if they eye future success.
"Last season we scored many goals with fast counter attacks and pressing. Now we have to find other solutions such as scoring goals after combinations and trying to get behind the opponent's back line," Leipzig striker Timo Werner commented.
"We have to play a style similar to that of Bayern Munich. Everyone can see we're not so flowing as we were last season, but we're determined to solve the problems," the 21-year-old forward said after his fifth league goal for RB in six games.
Leipzig's problems to adjust their game meanwhile are affecting their results. After going three games without a league win, the team beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 over the weekend. "It is a matter of learning for us," Werner said.
Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhuettl was happy about a "victory that was good for our confidence. It was important to have a clear mind before travelling to Istanbul."
To address the additional challenge of international games, Hasenhuettl is rotating his team as often as he can to give several key figures the chance to recover.
"We have to face a new situation for team and club. We now don't have an entire week to prepare for the next game," Hasenhuettl said.
The coach is concerned that the change of tactics will affect the team's defense work. "Currently it's too easy for our opponents to create chances. We have to become more stable and consistent," he said.
As for the new challenges like playing in an arena such as the home of the 2017 Turkish champions Besiktas Istanbul, Leipzig captain Wiili Orban said. "It will be a new experience for the entire team. I can't think of anyone that has yet played in front of such a passionate crowd. We're expecting a cauldron."
Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff is optimistic that the team will master the challenge as, "we proved that we have the quality needed for an international competition like the Champions League when we played AS Monaco."
Mintzlaff told German media his side is ready to be successful in Istanbul. "We're prepared for the unique atmosphere and a team that has had a good start to the new season."
While Leipzig's stars such as Naby Keita and Kevin Kampl are uncertainties for the match, coach Hasenhuettl is happy about the progress of Werner and Kevin Augustin in their roles alongside the Swedish striker Emil Forsberg.
"It makes me happy that both get along with each other well on the pitch," Hasenhuettl stressed after the latest win over Frankfurt.
In the games before, Leipzig's problems, having to play without Keita, who will join Liverpool for the next season for 70 million euros, were visible. Keita travelled to Turkey with his team and is hoping to be able to help despite having missed several training sessions.
Leipzig's optimism leading up to Tuesday's game has been increased by the poor record of Besiktas against German teams. The Turkish side has only managed to win one point in seven games. In five of the seven matches, Besiktas did not even score a goal.
"We won't pay much attention to statistics. Besiktas is in top form and will do everything to beat us," said Hasenhuettl who is looking forward to progressing to the last 16.
