Nagelsmann reveals how he expects Mourinho to defend against Leipzig

RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann expects Tottenham to sit back and not give his side any space when the two teams go up against each other in the Champions League round of 16.

Jose Mourinho has a history of masterminding teams to the Champions League title primarily by sitting back and counter-attacking as was the case during his time at Porto and Inter Milan.

Nagelsmann believes it is an approach that the Portuguese coach will stick to when the Bundesliga side travel to North London later this week for the first leg clash on Wednesday.

Speaking to the Independent, the 32-year-old said: “(Spurs will) defend deep to their own goal, not give us space behind the defensive line.

“(I am) prepared that Jose will change the approach home and away, but also within each leg.”

The former Hoffenheim head coach also revealed that he ultimately wants Leipzig to play a similar style to what Liverpool are utilising at the moment and insisted they are following a similar process to Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Speaking about what his compatriot has managed to achieve at Anfield, he said: “In the first two seasons under Jurgen Klopp, it was more about counter-attack and creating attacking moments.

“That’s the same process we are going through now at Leipzig, expanding to not only rely on pressing and counters.

“If you want to be a good manager, you have to watch Liverpool games. What they are doing is incredible. It’s the performances that you can learn from, but more importantly, is what you can take away from their mentality.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Despite Leipzig’s less than ideal form in recent matches, I believe they still come into the game as favourites given the football they are capable of playing. They are one of those teams who are capable of scoring two or three goals quickly in a good ten to twenty-minute spell and so we need to maintain our concentration levels through the 180 minutes to give ourselves a chance of progressing.

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