Captain Kampl & artificial turf: Leipzig's K-questions before Bern game

Leipzig player Kevin Kampl speaks at the press conference / Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa

RB Leipzig goes into its opening game in the Champions League as big favorites. A win at Swiss champions Young Boys Bern is firmly on the cards on Tuesday night (6:45 p.m./DAZN). The biggest hurdle could be the unusual pitch.

The sporting situation: the differences in performance in Group G should be clear. Defending champion Manchester City is the favorite, then comes Leipzig. Bern and Red Star Belgrade are clearly in the underdog role. "We want to spend the winter in the Champions League. Since we have ManCity in the group, we have to get as many points as possible, especially against Bern and Belgrade," said veteran Kevin Kampl.

The artificial turf: The turf could become the X-factor. This is because it is anything but real. On the unfamiliar terrain, Bern already defeated the great Manchester United. Coach Marco Rose is nonetheless relaxed. "Some of the boys have grown up on artificial turf," said the 47-year-old. Many training sessions on artificial turf Rose therefore planned in the preparation not.

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The Swiss strength: With five championships in the past six years, YB is something like the FC Bayern of Switzerland. Twice they have played in the group stage so far, where they finished last in each case. "But we are not naive," Rose stressed. Swiss soccer does not have to hide. Bern has absolutely earned it to play in the Champions League.

The K question: Willi Orban is missing over two months injured, for Kampl wears the armband. For the 32-year-old it is not the first time that he leads the team in the premier league as captain on the field. Nevertheless, it is a special situation. "I'd prefer it ten times over if Willi was there. He is extremely important for the team. I'm standing in for him now, I've talked to him about that, too," Kampl said. The midfielder wants to take as many tasks off Orban's hands as possible so he can focus on rehab.