The muscularly injured Christopher Nkunku did not make it into the starting XI of RB Leipzig against Manchester City. Instead of Germany’s football of the year, Emil Forsberg starts in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League on Wednesday (9 p.m. / DAZN) for the Saxons.
Coach Marco Rose had already confirmed in advance that Nkunku had not survived his first brief assignment last Saturday after an injury break of almost 100 days without repercussions.
Somewhat surprisingly, Rose occupied the external defense in the back four with the national players Lukas Klostermann and Marcel Halstenberg. While Klostermann is probably the first choice because of his speed, Halstenberg was preferred to the much faster David Raum. On the left side of defence, the experienced player has to deal with the tricky Riyad Mahrez. The former Dortmund professional Manuel Akanji is used in the defense of the English champions.
Erling Haaland storms at the front. The Norwegian international will occupy Leipzig’s core defense with captain Willi Orban and Josko Gvardiol. The only duel between the two clubs in Leipzig so far was won by the German cup winner 2-1 in the group stage of the premier class in December 2021.
