BERLIN: Bundesliga history is set to be made Friday as two Americans face off as head coaches for the first time in Germany’s top flight when Jesse Marsch’s RB Leipzig host Pellegrino Matarazzo’s VfB Stuttgart.
“I hope it’s a big deal in America,” Leipzig coach Marsch said Wednesday.
“It was unimaginable a few years ago that two American coaches could play against each other in a top league. I have so much respect for ‘Rino’ (Matarazzo) and his history. We have a big challenge coming up on Friday.”
Stuttgart thrashed promoted Guerther Fuerth 5-1 last Saturday on the opening weekend of the season.
In contrast, last season’s runners-up RB Leipzig slipped to a shock 1-0 defeat at Mainz, despite the hosts having 11 squad members quarantined after three players tested positive for Covid-19.
Marsch, who hails from Wisconsin, wants his side to play with “more clarity” after struggling to break down Mainz’s deep-sitting defence.
Matarazzo
