RB Leipzig expects tough task against FC Augsburg

After the injury absences of the two key players Dani Olmo and Willi Orban, head coach Marco Rose expects a tough task against the still winless Augsburg. "It will be similar to the game against Union, an intense game, a two-fight game, there will be force coming at us. It will also hurt in certain situations," said the coach of RB Leipzig before the Bundesliga match this Saturday (15.30 clock/Sky) against the Fuggerstädter, which so far in seven league games only a point in Leipzig - in 2019 at the goalless draw.

The failures of Olmo (bruise) and Orban (Außenbandriss), who returned from the international trip with knee injuries, are for Rose "already two real boards. I didn't know that Willi could get injured. But now it has happened. And then Dani, who has developed into an absolute leader in all areas in recent weeks," said Rose, adding, "They're not there, but we have a good squad, have positioned ourselves well for such situations. It's getting thin. A week ago I had to tell players why they are not in the squad, now I have to look that no one hurts himself more."

As a replacement for Orban, newcomer Castello Lukeba could play in central defense, as in the French U21 next to Mohamed Simakan. Behind Lukas Klostermann, who had a cold, is still a small question mark. In contrast, goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi is back in the squad for the first time against Augsburg. "We will not give a time frame, he was out for ten to eleven months. But he managed to get us to register him for the Champions League," said Rose, who does not want to discuss the number one status at the moment. That's because Janis Blaswich is "reliable, strong and enjoys great confidence."

There is a ray of hope for the coming weeks with Amadou Haidara, who will soon be able to return to parts of team training after tearing a muscle in his calf.