RB Leipzig coach Martín Demichelis can only begin preparations for the top Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt with a reduced roster. At the start of training on Tuesday ahead of this Saturday’s Bundesliga match (6:30 p.m./Sky), numerous national team players were still absent, some of whom had played for their national teams as recently as Monday in the Nations League. As a result, Willi Orban (Hungary 2–1 Ukraine), Maarten Vandevoordt (Belgium 1–4 France), and Ezechiel Banzuzi (Congo 1–1 Uganda) are not expected back at Leipzig’s Cottaweg until this Wednesday. Ahead of the crucial matches against Frankfurt, in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven (October 13), at German champions FC Bayern Munich (October 17), and in the Champions League against Real Madrid (October 21), key players Christopher Baumgartner and Rocco Reitz—who have recently been sidelined with thigh muscle injuries—are also slowly working their way back to full fitness. Brajan Gruda, who had to sit out after receiving a call-up to the national team due to an abdominal muscle strain, could also be ready to play again shortly. Patience is still required for Assan Ouédraogo (shoulder injury) and Marc Guiu (thigh muscle injury). Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
