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.