RB Leipzig: Gulacsi only injured for a short time, rotation planned in the cup

RB Leipzig will only be without regular goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi for the short term. "It's not that bad. He actually has a thick ankle, but it's not a ligament injury," said coach Marco Rose. In Tuesday's cup tie against FC St. Pauli (18:00/Sky), Gulacsi will be replaced by Maarten Vandevoordt as planned anyway. "But we want to make sure that we have it under control for Dortmund and that he is 100 percent fit to play," said Rose.

Gulacsi was substituted for debutant Vandevoordt at half-time against Freiburg on Saturday. The Hungarian international had already twisted his ankle when conceding a goal in the 15th minute. "We'll see if it's enough for the bench tomorrow," said Rose. The coach also announced a comprehensive rotation in the cup: "A few lads have told me that they are on the limit. We have to react more than we have done so far." Loïs Openda, Castello Lukeba and Lutsharel Geertruida are unlikely to feature.

"We are now FC Syndesmosis"

Meanwhile, following Xavi Simons' syndesmosis operation, it is clear that the Dutch international will not feature again this year. "Being fit to play this year would be a heroic goal," said Rose. The situation looks better for international David Raum. The full-back could return against FC Bayern Munich on December 21 or a week earlier against Frankfurt.

Simons is the sixth player in around two years after Raum, Lukas Klostermann, Timo Werner, Xaver Schlager and Konrad Laimer to suffer a syndesmosis tear. "We have some experience there. We are now FC Syndesmosis," said Rose. With regard to playmaker Simons, the coach stressed that he now needs patience: "The rehab program is underway. In the beginning, less is usually more. The body first has to process the operation."