Khaleej Times

Bayern maintain firm grip as Leipzig falter

- AFP

berlin — RB Leipzig risk fall- ing off the pace in the pack chasing run-away Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich with their coach Ralph Hasenhuett­l admitting his side is flagging.

“We’re running close to empty and you can see the team is torturing itself,” said Hasenhuett­l after his team scraped a 1-1 draw on Tuesday to just hold onto second place in the table.

The Austrian’s youthful squad have struggled to meet the demands of having to play virtually every three days in recent weeks, but now have just one game left before the Bundesliga breaks for winter.

Last week’s 2-1 home defeat against Besiktas meant they bowed out of the Champions League in the group stages and

We’re running close to empty and you can see the team is torturing itself

Ralph Hasenhuett­l

will face Napoli in the last 32 of the Europa League in February.

“It is especially difficult for our younger players. In this threeday rhythm, which goes on and on, you lose your power at some point,” admitted midfielder Kevin Kampl.

Leipzig are at risk of being caught by their league chasing rivals.

They have taken only five points in as many games while Bayern have tightened their iron-grip on first place by winning seven of their last eight Bundesliga games. —

 ?? AFP ?? Leipzig’s Werner vies for the ball with Wolfsburg’s William. —
AFP Leipzig’s Werner vies for the ball with Wolfsburg’s William. —

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