Svensson explains Rothe's benching, praises Querfeld's work

FC Union Berlin trainer Bo Svensson has explained the decision to bench Tom Rothe against FC Bayern München over the weekend. Svensson also praised the work of debutant Leopold Querfeld. 

Union Berlin trainer Bo Svensson made a few interesting tactical moves ahead of his side’s league encounter with German giants FC Bayern München over the weekend. Rising German phenom Tom Rothe didn’t start at his usual left wingback position. In Rothe’s place, Portuguese central defender Diogo Leite moved up to wingback for the very first time in his career. 

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Svensoon explained that the change took place for purely tactical reasons. More precisely, the FCU gaffer thought it prudent find some way of trying to stop Bayern’s unstoppable winger Michael Olise. 

“It was just for this game,” Svensson explained afterwards, “Olise played on the right and we just wanted a very dynamic player defensively against him.”

Svensson had praise for the performance of the youngster who replaced Leite in the back-three. New summer addition Leopold Querfeld, in Svensson’s words, earned a look.

“He deserved it,” Svensson said of the young Austrian talent, “and will be a very important player for Union Berlin in the future.”