Before the DFB Cup match against RW Essen, coach Marco Rose let the cat out of the bag: long-time number one Peter Gulacsi will remain RB Leipzig’s regular goalkeeper for 24/25 – the young Maarten Vandevoordt, who moved from Belgium to the Saxons with great hopes, is left behind.
“Our goalkeeping coach Freddie Gößling sat down with Peter Gulacsi and Maarten Vandevoordt and confirmed Pete as number one,” Rose said at the press conference before the Essen game. “But: Both Pete and Maarten played a top-class preparation. You can see Maarten’s qualities and we are happy to have both boys in this position.”
So that Vandevoordt doesn’t have to sit on the bench all the time, the youngster will be given occasional appearances, said Rose. These will not be dependent on a specific competition, but will be decided on a situational basis. “Pete will start the season as number one and will be in goal against Essen, also because it is our first game. But we will keep looking for and finding opportunities to give Maarten playing time, because we are also confident in him,” promised Rose.
Gulacsi has not had an easy time recently: after tearing a cruciate ligament, he temporarily lost his starting place to Janis Blaswich, which he only regained in February of this year. In the second half of the season, he finally showed strong performances again, which is why Rose now apparently sees no reason to take the Hungarian out of goal.
But one thing is also clear: Vandevoordt’s time will come, after all he cost ten million euros. The 22-year-old is considered one of the greatest goalkeeping talents in Europe.
