Transfer demand at RB Leipzig after Henrichs injury

After the heavy end-of-year defeat at FC Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig's sporting director Marcel Schäfer has held out the prospect of personnel activities for the winter transfer period. This applies in particular to the defense, where national team player Benjamin Henrichs could now also be out for the long term.

The 27-year-old full-back suffered a serious injury to his foot during the Saxons' 5-1 defeat in the Bundesliga top match in Munich on Friday evening and had to be stretchered off the pitch.

Schäfer: "See how we react"

"As always, we are keen to strengthen the team if it makes sense for us in sporting and economic terms," said Schäfer in general terms about the winter transfer market at the Allianz Arena. He then added more specifically: "We also have to see how we react to Benni's absence." There was talk of a torn Achilles tendon following an action without opponent influence.

Leipzig were very unlucky with injuries in the first half of the season. Captain Willi Orban therefore sees a need for action. "We are relatively thin at the back," said the defensive boss. Transfers are "not my job, but we'll see," said the central defender with a view to the RB managers.

"Recharge your batteries, mentally and physically"

Since Leipzig are only involved in the Bundesliga and DFB Cup in the new year after already being eliminated from the Champions League, they are only likely to make selective personnel changes.

"We are a bit behind where we wanted to be," said Schäfer, summing up the first half of the season. "We're on track in the DFB Cup," he commented on our chances of winning the title in the cup competition.

Orban addressed the "many injuries and obstacles" in the first half of the season. "We've already come together," he said about overcoming the fall crisis. In the Bundesliga, the team had caught up with the Champions League places. After the "clear, deserved defeat" in Munich, the short winter break is now about "recharging our batteries, mentally and physically".