RB Leipzig’s Rotations and Tough Record Against St. Pauli Set Stage for Intense DFB-Pokal Match
In the DFB-Pokal second-round showdown, RB Leipzig takes on FC St. Pauli, bringing significant changes to their lineup as head coach Marco Rose rotates his squad after a packed game schedule. With six fresh faces on the field, RB Leipzig aims to maintain momentum despite recent injury concerns and mixed historical results against St. Pauli.
Maarten Vandevoordt steps up as goalkeeper for Leipzig due to Peter Gulacsi’s ankle injury, sustained during last Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Freiburg. This decision sees Gulacsi on the bench, with Rose opting to shore up the defense by introducing Lukas Klostermann and El Chadaille Bitshiabu in place of Castello Lukeba. Alongside them, Willi Orban and Benjamin Henrichs start, giving Leipzig a robust five-man backline. This defensive setup, paired with Kevin Kampl and Arthur Vermeeren in midfield, shows a tactical shift, either solidifying a defensive line or allowing Henrichs to push up to help with midfield control. Up front, Rose introduces André Silva and Yussuf Poulsen, offering offensive power that was limited in previous outings.
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RB Leipzig’s history against St. Pauli has been challenging, with a mixed track record across their five encounters. Although Leipzig clinched their first meeting in the 2. Bundesliga, they’ve struggled ever since. St. Pauli holds three 1-0 wins and even held Leipzig to a goalless draw in their most recent Bundesliga face-off. Rose himself acknowledged St. Pauli’s tactical difficulty for Leipzig in the past, emphasizing that his side will need patience and strategic adaptability to secure a victory this time.
St. Pauli has also faced recent difficulties in front of the goal. Having recorded no goals in five out of their last eight league games, including all four home fixtures, they are determined to break this dry spell. Yet, Leipzig’s revamped lineup and St. Pauli’s hunger for a breakthrough promise a hard-fought contest at the former Zentralstadion.
This is their first DFB-Pokal clash, adding even more significance as each team seeks to progress to the Round of 16. With high expectations and tactical adjustments on both sides, today’s game has all the ingredients for a memorable DFB-Pokal showdown. Fans from both sides, filling the sold-out stands, eagerly await kickoff to see who will prevail in this high-stakes face-off.
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