by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- While official statements talk of calmness and determination, an atmosphere of unrest seems to surround RB Leipzig.

Ahead of a UEFA Champions League last 16 tie with Real Madrid, Leipzig are suffering from a poor Bundesliga re-start, as a series of four winless games is endangering the 2023 German Cup winners' chances of participating in next season's Champions League.

Three league defeats and a painful exit in the DFB-Pokal seem to burden the teams' performance.

Substantial departures of key figures such as Christopher Nkunku, Konrad Laimer, Dominik Szoboszlai, Josko Gvardiol, Emil Forsberg, Timo Werner and Marcel Halstenberg over the past year seem to have destabilized the team's structure.

Ahead of a decisive match against Union Berlin this Sunday, Marco Rose's side is forced to achieve a turnaround to avoid further turbulence.

Rose has detected a mental problem as "we are missing confidence in our abilities."

While the manager is complaining about his team's weakness in defending and at dead-ball situations, only four goals scored in addition to ten conceded indicate that the team has lost its balance.

The return of captain Willi Orban might deliver a ray of hope for this Sunday's duel, as missing out on the Champions League would be a disaster.

More than others, Leipzig depend on the continental income to run its expensive squad. A loss of up to 40 million euros is said to come along with missing the Champions League.

Key players such as Spain international Dani Olmo, star striker Lois Openda and on-loan playmaker Xavi Simons are expected to consider leaving if there is no Champions League football on the agenda.

The latest Bundesliga defeat, a 5-2 loss against Stuttgart, has made alarm bells ring.

Relying on the return of Orban and Africa Cup of Nations participant Amadou Haidara, Leipzig's only January arrival is North Macedonia's Eljif Elmas.

"We have confidence in our squad," sporting director Rouven Schroder stated, but at the same time, reports spoke of Rose unsuccessfully having demanded additional players.

Meanwhile, the club is backing Rose and says his job isn't in danger. A statement that is seen as substantial as the 47-year-old is committing himself entirely to the club.

Danish striker Yussuf Poulsen said having to play this Sunday gives the team an additional day to work on its issues. "We know what to expect: A disputed game with much physical energy, but it is on us to turn things for the better."

Rose seems to have detected the reasons for the downward trend and ran intensive passing training sessions. In the season's first half, precise passing carried the side to success. Enditem

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