Lost 3 times in the premier class
©IMAGO
Undefeated and only conceding two goals in seven games – that’s RB Leipzig’s face in the Bundesliga. In Europe’s top leagues, only Juventus from Italy currently has a better defense with one goal scored in eight games. It’s completely different in the Champions League, where the Saxons have lost three times – including against Turin – and have already conceded six goals. “In the Bundesliga it’s enough to defend well, you always get your space to break through,” said captain Willi Orbán (31) after the 0-1 defeat against Liverpool on Wednesday. “Unfortunately that’s not enough in the Champions League, where you have to play the opponent deeply and precisely. We didn’t do enough of that.”
In terms of goals conceded, Leipzig’s start to the season is already one of the ten best in Bundesliga history. In the home game against third-placed SC Freiburg (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.), one point would be enough for Leipzig to at least temporarily take over the lead from FC Bayern.
However, Xavi Simons (21), the most important offensive player, is out with an ankle injury suffered against Liverpool. “We will deal with it as a team,” said RB coach Marco Rose on Friday at the matchday press conference. The team has “an exceptionally good spirit” and will get results, even if the Dutchman cannot be replaced one-on-one.
After Simons’ loss: RB Leipzig has to “reinvent itself a bit”
“We don’t have to adapt the system, we have done good squad planning. There is a lack of players with certain skills that have a big impact on our game. But it has no influence on the systematics. We have to reinvent ourselves a bit,” stated the coach, who, in addition to Simons, also relies on David Raum (26; also ankle), Xaver Schlager (27; torn cruciate ligament), Nicolas Seiwald (23; muscle injury) and Assan Ouédraogo (18; knee injury). must do without, nevertheless. The midfield talent who came from Schalke should start training again next week and Seiwald’s return is possible before the next international break in mid-November. Lukas Klostermann (28), who was recently ill, could even be an option for the bench against Freiburg.
The 16-year-old homegrown Viggo Gebel will certainly sit on this. According to Rose, the midfielder even has a good chance of making his Bundesliga debut: “Little Viggo might then get his first Bundesliga game. We talked a lot about the Leipzig boy at the beginning of the season. With so many failures, the possibility of him being used increases of course.”
