RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann explains kit ‘mix up’ during Spurs game

RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann has cleared up the confusion that saw some of his players wear different kits against Tottenham Hotspur. 

The Bundesliga club secured a 1-0 first leg victory over Spurs in the Champions League last-16, but eagle-eyed viewers were left scratching their heads as the Leipzig players appeared to be donning contrasting jerseys during the match.

What was the RB Leipzig kit ‘mix up’? Five things to know…

• RB Leipzig beat Spurs 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
• Timo Werner scored a second-half penalty to separate the sides in north London.
• Viewers noticed some of the Leipzig players were wearing different kits.
• Some jerseys had a red and yellow Red Bull logo embroidered on the front, while for others the shirt sponsor was in white.
• Nagelsmann has now explained how a mix up from the hotel to the ground caused his players to wear different kits.

Timo Werner netted the all-important away goal for Leipzig, tucking home from the spot in the 58th minute after Ben Davies clattered into Konrad Laimer.

It was the Germany international’s 26th goal of the season and hands the Red Bulls a solid cushion heading into the return leg in Saxony next month.

However, fans noticed how the match-winner was wearing two separate, non-identical shirts, during the 90 minutes; one in the first half with a white Red Bull logo, and one after the restart with a red and yellow shirt sponsor.

Indeed many of Leipzig’s players were sporting different kits at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leading to some confusion away from the turf, which Nagelsmann has now cleared up.

“On the way from the hotel the kit wasn’t complete in the different boxes,” said the Leipzig boss at his post-match press conference.

“It wasn’t on the bus, and that’s why there was a bit of a mix-up. It will certainly be sorted out for the second leg. We’ll have the right kit.”

Timo Werner and Christopher Nkunku seem to have the special RB Leipzig kits tonight. 👀 pic.twitter.com/b1wVIbg5o0

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) February 19, 2020

Nagelsmann: We controlled the game

Leipzig have been impressive under the young technocrat this campaign, in what is proving a fine maiden season at the helm, as they currently sit a point behind league leaders Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and now take a convincing lead to Germany for the second leg against Spurs.

Jose Mourinho’s men were often overwhelmed by the visitors and struggled to fashion clear-cut chances, leading to Nagelsmann’s praise for his young side, but with a glimmer of frustration as they failed to truly capitalise on their impressive showing.

“I think it was tricky in the end because we didn’t score the second goal,” he said.

“In the game, over the 90 minutes, in the first half we controlled the game bar one chance from (Steven) Bergwijn.

“We had a lot of good possession and we played in a very mature way in the first half.

“We really should have taken the lead in the first five minutes. Young teams become impatient and think you have to score a goal away in the first leg of the Champions League tie but they weren’t like that.

“They were more patient and defended well against Tottenham’s counter-attacking game.”