Six days before the DFB Cup match at SV Sandhausen, RB Leipzig still has not finalized its starting lineup. Two young challengers were unable to take advantage of the last test match.
RB Leipzig’s 1-2 dress rehearsal at RC Lens went very differently than planned, and Ole Werner was unwilling to sugarcoat the poor and uninspired performance. “There was still a lot of room for improvement, both in terms of our approach, our aggressiveness and also after winning the ball,” said the new head coach, adding: “There are many things we can take away from this game. The important thing is that we work on them accordingly.”
However, Saturday’s game raised more questions than it answered regarding the starting lineup for the DFB Cup match at SV Sandhausen. Werner deliberately left supposed big names such as Ridle Baku (27) and Nicolas Seiwald (24) on the bench, who won 3-0 in the afternoon at the French first division club’s training ground. Instead, he sent young challengers such as Kosta Nedeljkovic (19) and Arthur Vermeeren (20) onto the big stage. However, neither the right-back from Serbia nor the defensive midfielder from Belgium were able to make a lasting impression on this occasion.
Goalkeeper question still undecided
Werner emphasizes that he has not yet made a decision on a number of positions. This includes the question of who will be the future number one. The fact that veteran Peter Gulacsi (35) played in the afternoon in the supposed reserve team and Maarten Vandevoordt (23) stood between the posts in the evening should not be seen as a hint. “No decision has been made yet,” said Werner.
Diakombe and Banzuzi push forward
Of the five newcomers, only star signing Johan Bakayoko was allowed to play in the transfer match for striker Lois Openda, who was brought in from Lens two years ago. The Belgian is set to play on the right wing. Antonio Nusa had been ahead on the left wing until now. But the Norwegian didn’t just look bad on the first goal. Yan Diomande, who’s only 18 and was signed from CD Leganes for €20 million, is already putting on the pressure and showed that again on Saturday in the B team. The same applies to Ezechiel Banzuzi (20), signed from OH Leuven for €16 million, who faces stiff competition in the number eight position from Xaver Schlager, Christoph Baumgartner, and Xavi.
In central defense, the combination of Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba is not set in stone either. The duo looked anything but solid on Saturday, while the alternatives Lutsharel Geertruida and El Chadaille Bitshiabu impressed in the afternoon. On the left side of defense, however, David Raum is unchallenged.
Will Orban remain captain?
Werner will have to make some difficult personnel decisions this week, including the appointment of the captain. Last season, Willi Orban was the captain and Peter Gulacsi his first deputy. Werner wants to decide whether this will remain the case before the team leaves for Sandhausen.
