Rocco Reitz’s thigh injury leaves a void in midfield, forcing Martín Demichelis to weigh debuting deadline-day signing Neil El Aynaoui against Werder Bremen’s high-intensity challenge.
RB Leipzig will take a reshaped squad to Werder Bremen on Saturday, with Marc Guiu and Neil El Aynaoui both available for their first Bundesliga appearances for the club. But the arrival of two new options has been offset by a fresh injury to Rocco Reitz, while Brajan Gruda remains a doubt.
Reitz sustained a muscle injury to his left thigh in training and will be sidelined for several weeks, dealing Martín Demichelis an early blow after the midfielder made an immediate impact in Leipzig's opening-day victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The 24-year-old started against his former club and completed the 3-0 victory by scoring Leipzig's third goal. His absence now creates an unexpected hole in the midfield, particularly with the club having invested €20 million to bring him from Gladbach during the summer.
The timing, however, could give Neil El Aynaoui an immediate opportunity.
The Morocco international joined Leipzig from Roma on deadline day on an initial €4 million loan, with the Bundesliga club holding a €25 million purchase option. The 25-year-old was brought in to add intensity, physicality and control to Demichelis' midfield and could now be asked to step directly into the role vacated by Reitz.
There is still a question over whether Demichelis will throw him straight into the starting XI, given that El Aynaoui has only just arrived and is adapting to a new club and league. But the circumstances may accelerate his introduction.
Marc Guiu is also available after completing his €15 million move from Chelsea.
The Spanish striker was one of Leipzig's final additions of the transfer window and provides another option in attack. Demichelis has already highlighted his pressing, speed, and physical presence as qualities that can add something different to Leipzig's forward line.
Guiu's arrival could therefore be particularly significant if the Red Bulls encounter a different type of game in Bremen. After producing a convincing performance against Gladbach, the new coach now has another attacking profile to call upon.
Meanwhile, Brajan Gruda remains doubtful after picking up an ankle problem during last weekend's 3-0 victory. Leipzig will make a final decision following Friday's training session. If Gruda is unavailable, Christopher Nkunku could be one of the main candidates to replace him, with the Frenchman already making an impact from the bench against Gladbach.
There is better news elsewhere.
Assan Ouédraogo has returned to team training following his shoulder injury and could be included in the squad, although RBL will wait until after Friday's session before making a final call.
Goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland has also recovered from his tendon problem and is back in training, while Rômulo is expected to partially rejoin the team on Friday.
For Demichelis, the Bremen trip therefore comes with both disruption and opportunity. Reitz's injury removes one of his standout performers from the opener, but it could also accelerate the integration of two of Leipzig's most important late-window additions.
