Marco Rose’s RB Leipzig make the short trip to Switzerland to face Young Boys on Tuesday evening in their opening fixture of the 2023/24 Champions League. Following their elimination in the Round of 16 to Manchester City last season, Leipzig will be hoping to better their performance and should do well in a favourable group.
Although Péter Gulácsi has returned to training after 346 days, Janis Blaswich will keep his place in goal. With the absence of Willi Orban, who sustained a torn ligament in his right knee during the international break, Castello Lukeba will start in defence alongside Frenchman Mohamed Simakan.
With the injury to Dani Olmo, who faces a race to be fit for the game against Bayern Munich at the end of the month, Rose is expected to name the same XI that started against Augsburg. That means Emil Forsberg will retain in his in the absence of Olmo, with Xavi Simons supplementing Loïs Openda and Yussuf Poulsen in attack.
Should Leipzig need it, Rose has a plethora of options on the bench. Benjamin Šeško has impressed during his early Leipzig career, while Timo Werner, Fabio Carvalho and Christoph Baumgartner are further attacking options.
Leipzig play Young Boys before games against Manchester City and Red Star Belgrade follow.
Predicted RB Leipzig XI vs Young Boys
Janis Blaswich – Benjamin Henrichs, Mohamed Simakan, Castello Lukeba, David Raum – Xaver Schlager, Kevin Kampl – Xavi Simons, Emil Forsberg – Loïs Openda, Yussuf Poulsen.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
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