Korkut: 'We'll see how we can hurt them'

It's already clear the Werkself will face a confident opponent on Saturday. "It will probably be a long time before another newly promoted side has the chance of qualifying for the Champions League. We can write history," said Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhüttl ahead of Saturday's clash (15.30 CET) with Bayer 04. It's good that the Werkself were able to gain confidence in the week with a 2-0 win away to Darmstadt.

"That win has done us all a lot of good after the past few weeks," said Kevin Volland who is on a good run of form at the moment with three goals in his past four Bundesliga matches. Michael Schade was also clearly relieved after winning three points under floodlights at Darmstadt. "It was an enormously important victory in perhaps the most important game of the second half of the season. This result will hopefully give us confidence for the run-in," said the CEO.

"This game promises a lot"

Tayfun Korkut shares that confidence even though his players face two major challenges with the match at Leipzig on Saturday and the Herculean task at the BayArena the following week against Bayern Munich. "We're up against Leipzig who are the team of the season alongside Hoffenheim, who deserve to be up at the top and are one of the strongest teams at home. However, we won't look at the table or what's been before. I think this game promises a lot," said the Werkself coach at the pre-match press conference held at the media centre at the BayArena.

Korkut again made it clear how important the win was at Darmstadt. "There’s no substitute for success. The team played well on Wednesday and achieved a result through concentration and ability. We want to take that boost with us," declared the Bayer 04 head coach. At the same time, Korkut clearly understands more resistance is to be expected from the opposition on Saturday than was the case in the week. "We know to expect strong pressing game and that we'll have to be on our toes in build-up play," said the 43-year-old, "but Leipzig have given away a number of chances in recent games. So the main question for me is how we can hurt them."

Praise for Volland, caution with Tah

One threat is obviously posed by Kevin Volland who is on a really good run having been involved in five of the last eight goals. "Players sometimes need time. Kevin is on a roll, not just because of his goals but because of the contribution he makes the team," said Korkut who again has Charles Aránguiz available after his ban. Jonathan Tah is not available for the Leipzig game. "He's still feeling a reaction and we have to be very careful with Jona," said the Werkself coach. Chicharito was able to complete individual training this week. "We'll have to wait and see after the last session about how he feels."

Bayer 04 will not be short of support in Leipzig. 2400 fans in black and red will follow the team to Saxony on Saturday. "An impressive number," said Korkut, "and the team will really appreciate that too."