Bundesliga promotion contenders Holstein Kiel are running out of defenders ahead of the tough home game against RB Leipzig. In addition to the long-term absence of Colin Kleine-Bekel, Timo Becker (broken toe), Patrick Erras (concussion) and Marco Komenda (tendon injury) have recently been injured. Swede Carl Johansson is also not yet fit enough to play 90 minutes after a long break.
"We have enough players who have played there before. We don't have to change anyone," said coach Marcel Rapp in a relaxed manner. The Kiel coach was also relaxed about the end of Leipzig's crisis. Their next opponents (Saturday, 3.30pm/Sky) won 3-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB Cup on Wednesday evening, ending a run of six games without a win.
"I couldn't care less," said Rapp. "I watch the games. I see that RB played a very good game yesterday. I'll take that into my analysis. Maybe make a few adjustments or maybe not. But otherwise I'm completely unemotional. It doesn't matter to me whether they win or lose." For him, Leipzig are a "Champions League opponent with a top team", regardless of how things have gone in recent weeks.
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