RB Leipzig can climb to the top of the German Bundesliga table on Saturday, at least for one day.
RB Leipzig wants to beat SC Freiburg in the fight for the lead in the table with Bayern, who are tied on points, on Saturday (from 3:30 p.m. in the Sport24 LIVETICKER). After the best start in the club’s history with 17 points in seven games, coach Marco Rose will have to be without midfielder Xavi Simons for several weeks. The 21-year-old Dutchman suffered a ligament injury in his left ankle in the Champions League against Liverpool FC (0-1). This means that ÖFB legionnaire Christoph Baumgartner could get more playing minutes, his two red-white-red teammates Nicolas Seiwald (adductors) and Xaver Schlager (torn cruciate ligament) are currently not fit for action.
Borussia Dortmund is also hoping for a sense of success again. Coach Nuri Sahin expressed understanding for the massive criticism of his tactical switch to a five-man chain in the 2:5 CL defeat at Real Madrid and practiced self-criticism. “That’s the fate of a coach. Everything we do is evaluated. I can deal with that. None of the critics want me personally,” said the 36-year-old in response to the recent allegations that he had watched the game on Tuesday evening at the Bernabéu. Stadium coached. “You have to endure it at this level. Otherwise you have no business at Borussia Dortmund.”
Dortmund fights away curse
Things should now be smoothed out against FC Augsburg. Sahin hopes that the long wait for the first Bundesliga away win this season will end: “It’s just our turn, it should work out that we win away from home. It’s a very, very important game for us. If you… “Looking at the table, we have to stay at the top,” said the coach, who will have to do without defender Niklas Süle until the international break.
Defending champion Bayer Leverkusen is hoping for Victor Boniface’s comeback before the game on Saturday (6.30 p.m.) at Werder Bremen. The goalscorer was involved in a traffic accident about a week ago. “If it’s possible and he feels better, he’ll come to Bremen. We’ll decide that after the final training,” said the coach. In the premier class, Boniface passed as a “precautionary measure” in the 1-1 draw at Stade Brest. Amine Adli, who fractured his left fibula in France, will be missing.
