Domenico Tedesco: We really need a special day

Tedesco felt that his side played well for large parts of the first leg, where they led 2-1 until the final stages. “We have to play even better this time and need a really special day!” Because the 3-2 defeat and the way the first leg went, the 33-year-old wants his side to play “cautiously offensive, as If we concede a goal or two then it will be so difficult.”

Tedesco made it clear that there are no plans to rest players ahead of the Bundesliga game against RB Leipzig. “Our situation in the Bundesliga is quite precarious, and we are fully aware of that,” he said. Despite that, he isn’t intending on making many changes to the side.

Several ideas of how to replace Caligiuri

The coach will definitely be without full-back Daniel Caligiuri, who is out with a high ankle sprain – an injury sustained on Friday night in Bremen. “He will be a big miss for us,” said Tedesco, who has a number of ideas in his head of how to replace the German-Italian. Those options include Jeffrey Bruma, Hamza Mendyl, Sebastian Rudy or even Rabbi Matondo. Tedesco is yet to make his final decision.

One thing confirmed is that Ralf Fährmann will play in goal in Manchester. “I have revealed one member of my starting XI, but that’s the only player I will confirm is starting,” chuckled Tedesco. Amine Harit and Mark Uth will also not be a part of the squad, after both missing out in Bremen too. Tedesco stated: “This wasn’t a decision against those two, but a decision to select the lads that have flown with us.”