The need for strikers also makes RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose inventive. "We have to see how we can score goals in our personnel situation," he said ahead of today's Bundesliga match (3.30pm/Sky) at VfL Bochum. "When three strikers are missing and the fourth is coming back from a long-term or medium-term rehabilitation phase. But we've come up with something for that as well," announced Rose.
The fact that Benjamin Šeško and Loïs Openda are now also missing for the match against the bottom club in the table due to suspension does not make the situation any easier for Rose and the remaining professionals. The duo scored 14 of Leipzig's 29 league goals. That says a lot.
"We're not blessed with any fit attacking players at the moment, so one or two of them will almost line up on their own," said Rose. André Silva will still be missing, as he still has problems with his calf and is unable to train with the team. The game will also come too soon for midfielder Xaver Schlager following his knee problems. At least Yussuf Poulsen, who has also been injured recently, is likely to return to the squad.
Rose did not reveal any details about how Leipzig's offense will look in Bochum. But: "One thing is already clear: Baumi is of course an important option and will have a role." In other words: Christoph Baumgartner, 48-time Austria international, will be the man up front. In the first two competitive matches this year, however, he didn't even play half an hour in each of the current fourth-placed teams.
Copyright 2025, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
