Sport nationRB Leipzig Faces Triple Blow Ahead of Celtic Champions League Clash
RB Leipzig prepares to face Celtic on Tuesday, but their momentum has been severely dampened by a trio of setbacks.
Injury Woes: Castello Lukeba and Xavi Simons Ruled Out
Leipzig’s highly-rated defender, Castello Lukeba, suffered a thigh injury during training and will likely miss the Celtic match. Manager Marco Rose stated, “We don’t want to take any risks… or else we’re talking about five or six weeks out.”
Lukeba’s absence is significant, given his impressive performances and interest from top clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Liverpool.
Xavi Simons’ Long-Term Injury
Dutch prodigy Xavi Simons has undergone surgery and will be out until at least 2025, according to The Athletic. This loss compounds Leipzig’s injury concerns.
Bundesliga Setback: First Loss of the Season
Leipzig’s 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund marked their first Bundesliga loss of the season. This result dropped them three points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Champions League Struggles
Leipzig currently sits 31st in the Champions League table, having lost every game this campaign. Their poor European form raises concerns ahead of the Celtic clash.
Celtic’s Opportunity
Celtic, who held Atalanta to a 0-0 draw in their last European outing, may sense an opportunity to capitalize on Leipzig’s woes. A win would significantly boost their chances of progression.
Past Encounters: Leipzig Holds the Upper Hand
The two teams have met four times in the last six years, with Leipzig winning three of those encounters. Celtic’s sole victory came in a previous Champions League matchup.
Key Takeaways
- RB Leipzig faces Celtic without Castello Lukeba and Xavi Simons due to injuries
- Leipzig suffers first Bundesliga loss of the season to Borussia Dortmund
- Celtic seeks to capitalize on Leipzig’s poor European form
- Leipzig has had the better of Celtic in past encounters
- Celtic aims to progress to the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time since 2013
Related Articles
- “Celtic’s Champions League Hopes: Can They Capitalize on Leipzig’s Struggles?”
- “RB Leipzig’s Injury Crisis: A Blow to Their European Ambitions”
- “Bundesliga: Leipzig’s Title Hopes Take a Hit After Dortmund Defeat”
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Image Credits
- RB Leipzig (Getty Images)
- Celtic FC (official website)
- Castello Lukeba (Getty Images)
- Xavi Simons (Getty Images)
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GRV Media Ltd. All rights reserved.
Additional sections:
Celtic’s Champions League History
Celtic last progressed to the knockout rounds in 2013, losing 5-0 to Juventus.
RB Leipzig’s Squad Depth
Leipzig’s injury woes will test their squad’s depth and resilience.
Marco Rose’s Tactical Challenge
Rose must adapt his strategy to compensate for the absence of key players.
Champions League Format Changes
The competition’s new format offers Celtic hope for progression to the preliminary play-off round.
Leipzig’s Title Ambitions
Despite their Bundesliga setback, Leipzig remains focused on challenging Bayern Munich for the title.
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