RB Leipzig strikers Timo Werner and Yussuf Poulsen are ready to return to action against SC Freiburg. Head coach Marco Rose confirmed this ahead of this Sunday's Bundesliga clash (7.30pm/DAZN) against the Breisgau side. Werner, who was recently absent due to an infection and was once again not considered for the national team, took part in the full team training session with the Saxons on Friday.
For Werner, Freiburg are something of a favorite opponent: he has already scored ten times against SCF, with a better record only against Mainz. Poulsen, who recently had adductor problems, worked individually but is expected to be in the squad for Sunday's clash between the two teams with the strongest duels.
Leipzig are unbeaten against Freiburg in nine competitive matches. The Breisgauers have only managed two draws at the Red Bull Arena so far, returning home as losers five times. The SC attack has struggled in the league so far, scoring just 13 goals. However, the 5:0 in the Europa League against FK TSC Bačka Topola from Serbia was something of a liberating blow in attack.
"I hope the lads feel and know that the Bundesliga is the day-to-day business if they want to play in the Champions League again. We've now let our guard down against Mainz, now we should simply get back on track for success in the Bundesliga as well," said Rose and expects his players to be "greedy and ready to go".
Rose believes that no special incentive is necessary, as "the lads are professionals and have their goals". He would rather focus on the little things in detail when playing a deep-lying opponent after the team's high spirits of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League. In a team meeting on Friday, Rose "addressed things where we want to take steps forward. Accordingly, it may be that the mood was a little more depressed again for a short time".
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