RB Leipzig will be without international Timo Werner for the Champions League match at Red Star Belgrade. The striker did not make the trip to the 13-time Serbian champions due to an infection. "He's so ill that he's not fit to play," said coach Marco Rose. It is also unclear whether Yussuf Poulsen will play. The Dane only trained individually on Monday with adductor problems. The Saxons traveled to Serbia with two defeats in a row, but beat Belgrade 3:1 in the first leg.
Leipzig can reach the round of 16 early on Tuesday (21:00/DAZN). To do so, the cup winners must win in Belgrade and defending champions Manchester City must pick up at least one point against Young Boys Bern at the same time. Leipzig have already reached the knockout round of the top flight three times, but only on the last day of group play. "We have the ambition to go through to the next round. If we accept the challenge, nothing stands in our way," said international David Raum.
A heated atmosphere awaits Leipzig at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, known as Marakana. Rose prepared his players for this in his speech at the final training session. "The lads know the atmosphere, it's special here again, that's for sure," said the 47-year-old. "The relationship between the team and the fans is a special one. The fans live and breathe Red Star, they suffer and share in the excitement, they drive their team forward." You shouldn't let them drive you crazy. We have to "really fight back if we want to survive".
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