From RBNY:
After training at Red Bulls Training Facility in Whippany, N.J. on Thursday, head coach Sandro Schwarz and defender Dylan Nealis spoke with the media prior to New York’s MLS regular season match against New York City FC on Saturday.
News and Notes
• The Red Bulls have posted a 12-3-2 mark against New York City FC across all competitions at home.
• Captain Emil Forsberg became the fifth player in franchise history to record 10-plus MLS goals and assists in a single season and the first since Thierry Henry in 2014.
• Forsberg has recorded a goal contribution in five of his last six matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
• Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel has recorded four shutouts in seven career matches against NYCFC at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
a 1-0 win.
New York Red Bulls Head Coach Sandro Schwarz
On mindset ahead of NYCFC match…
First of all, we need a very good behavior in our basic principles. So that means to be very aggressive, to be very intensive in our structure, to find the right moment when we can press and, of course to respect the quality of NYCFC, especially in their offensive behavior, but also in their defense structure. So I expect a very intensive game against them, and from the mental side, of course, in our home stadium, we have to be ready. We have to be ready in our open play, in our board position game. So that's necessary against them, especially when they have the quality in the offensive transition. So all the principles which we need and all the supporters which we need in our in our stadium. We are looking forward, and we are very excited to have this game on Sunday.
On defender Tim Parker…
Tim Parker, how he played the last couple of weeks, very well in our organization, our defense behavior so very aggressive, very intensive to be very strong in the duels, and also how he's leading the team in form of the communication so very important for us.
On midfielder Ronald Donkor…
Ronnie’s (Donkor) profile is that he has the confidence to play in every situation with the board, but on the other side, and this is an individual topic for him, always, to fight the right balance, to play without risk, or to play vertical, or to switch, to find our open player. I think that's for him, very important in his individual development. But his profile is more in ball position to have the confidence, but also able to be very aggressive. And both of the sixes against Montreal, what they what they did very well, was in our box defending. So it was very well our box defending with our two center backs, then penalty spot. They did it very well and not to drop back too deep in some positions. So that was good and now we will see how's the decision now for Saturday.
On facing NYCFC’s counterattack…
First of all, when you have the ball, then it's always necessary that you have also a good connection. Of course, when we have the ball, first of all in your mindset, you want to score, that's clear. But you need then also to have a good connection, to be very compact with the ball, and that it's necessary when you are doing some mistakes, then, with these players around the ball directly to have the quick reaction in your counter press, and also the players on the far side. Then also, then it's necessary to have this ball orientation behavior, because they are important for our rest, defense for the next level, and maybe with some quality of NYCFC, they solve sometimes the situation in your counter press, of course. And then when it's the open foot free foot from the opponent then you have to be ready.
New York Red Bulls Defender Dylan Nealis
On significance of derby match against NYCFC…
Last year was awesome with that great playoff run, but this year's new year, I think we're in a difficult spot where we kind have to crawl ourselves out of it. It's a huge three points for us, it's next game up, no matter who the opponent is, just happens to be a New York rivalry. So we'll just make the game that much bigger, that much important. It'll need more. But it's a playoff game for us. The playoffs are starting this Saturday for us, so it's huge.
On meaning of Hudson River Derby…
Just some New York Pride. I think playing it or watching it both sides will have some New York Pride. Being from Long Island, New York myself. You know, I take extreme pride in these games. That's bragging rights for foreseeable future. Last year we had it. I think right now, maybe they have it because they beat us earlier in the year and they already clinched the playoffs. So huge game on the weekend for bragging rights.
On facing Nicolas Fernandez and NYCFC attack…
Those guys have been off to a good start. I saw a stat maybe when Nico plays their 7-0-1. So they're getting things going offensively. But it'll be same old for us. You know, remaining our defensive principles. shift well, defend forward well, and win our aerial duels and 1v1 duels on the ground. I think we should take care of business. So that'll be the message. Same old, nothing new. Stick to our principles, what we know best.
On intensity of a Hudson River Derby match…
It'll be a super intense game. Tactics might get thrown out the window first five minutes, and it just becomes an absolute war out there. Just winning your individual battles when your one-on-one duels. It's a huge game for us. Must get three points. It's a playoff game for us. So we're going to take it one half at a time, and we can't wait for the weekend.