- Five key aspects of RB Leipzig's performance in Leverkusen:
Leipzig (dpa) -
- Defender Willi Orban will be sitting out for RB Leipzig on Saturday (6:30 PM/Sky) in Leverkusen due to his red card in the season opener. Lukas Klostermann could step in for Orban, or Mohamed Simakan could move from right-back to center-back.
- Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch has commended colleague Xabi Alonso's progress as a coach. "His evolution as a trainer is remarkable, I wish him the best," Marsch announced before their last encounter. Now, he expects the champions to be even more formidable. "They've added experience and quality. In head-to-head coaching stats, Marsch trails 1-3, but excluding new Bundesliga coaches this season, he ranks second in points average (1.9) behind Alonso (2.3).
- Despite RB Leipzig's impressive Bundesliga record against Leverkusen (7 wins, 5 losses, 4 draws), they've dropped the last three games. Their last home victory came in October 2022, and their last away victory occurred in April 2022.
- Never in the history of these two teams has a game ended in a 0-0 draw. This is a positive indication of both teams' offensive abilities. For Leipzig, Lois Openda found the back of the net in both matches against Bayer last season.
- An unexpected encounter awaits in Leverkusen with former Leipzig player Nordi Mukiele. The German champions have secured Mukiele's services on loan from Paris Saint-Germain until the end of this season. Mukiele represented the Saxony-based team from 2018 to 2022. Additionally, Patrik Schick, who played for Leipzig during the 2019/20 season, has switched sides. Meanwhile, former Leverkusen players Kevin Kampl and Benjamin Henrichs have made the move in the opposite direction.
The sky was clear over Leipzig as defender Willi Orban prepared to miss the game due to his red card. After Orban's absence, Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch might consider starting Lukas Klostermann or moving Mohamed Simakan to center-back.
