This Friday, RB Leipzig will open matchday 12 of the Bundesliga away to Borussia Mönchengladbach. One personnel issue in particular will be in the spotlight.
In the last league match against Werder Bremen, Assan Ouedraogo caused a stir on the pitch with a spectacular goal to make it 1-0.
Ahead of the upcoming game at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday evening (8:30 p.m., live on kicker), RB Leipzig now has to deal with the midfielder’s injury and with the question of who will replace him at Borussia Park.
As far as the severity of Ouedraogo’s injury is concerned, RB coach Ole Werner also sent out positive signals at Thursday’s pre match press conference. It is not a serious injury, which is why Assan was still able to keep playing with it, Werner said, but with this minor injury there is a risk of subsequent injuries because the overall structure is simply not being supported as well.
Werner is still leaving open who will replace the young international in Mönchengladbach. According to the Leipzig coach, the candidates are Xaver Schlager, Ezechiel Banzuzi, Andrija Maksimovic and also Amadou Haidara, although naming the latter in the starting eleven would be a big surprise.
On Schlager, Werner said that they want to extend his contract. The number one candidate for the now vacant midfield position is Schlager, who made his comeback from a calf injury in the recent 2 0 home win against Bremen. Xaver can start, Werner said of the Austrian’s physical condition, whose contract expires at the end of the season. They want to extend with him, Werner made clear, but he also stressed that there is no rush at this stage. The 37 year old added that he has made it clear what he thinks of Xaver, but that it is still important to give both sides time to make a decision.
Diomande will play despite a broken nose. In Mönchengladbach Leipzig will have to do without not only Ouedraogo, but also Romulo (tendon irritation in the knee), Kevin Kampl (personal reasons), El Chadaille Bitshiabu (thigh muscle injury), Viggo Gebel (cruciate ligament tear) and long term absentee Benjamin Henrichs. In Henrichs’ case, the club officials still hope that he can return to team training before the end of this year.
Ouedraogo’s absence weighs heavily because of the specific profile he has brought to the Leipzig midfield in recent weeks. The teenager has impressed with his powerful running, courage on the ball and ability to drive the team forward between the lines. His goal against Bremen was a perfect illustration of that: a late run from midfield, intelligent movement into space and a calm finish under pressure. Losing that dynamic element just as he seemed to be finding his rhythm is a setback for Werner’s plans.
At the same time, the situation opens the door for others. Schlager is the most experienced option and offers stability, aggression in duels and tactical discipline. With him on the pitch, Leipzig gain a more classic holding midfielder who can organise the pressing and close spaces in front of the back four. The trade off is that the team may lose some of the vertical, adventurous runs that Ouedraogo naturally provides, but in an away match at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Werner might value control and structure above all.
Banzuzi represents the more attacking alternative. The young Belgian is regarded as a technically gifted, creative midfielder who likes to operate between the lines and support the forwards. If Werner chooses him, Leipzig could line up with a more offensive minded midfield, trying to pin Gladbach back and dominate possession in the final third. However, Banzuzi still lacks Bundesliga experience, and throwing him into a starting role in a high pressure away game would involve a certain amount of risk.
Maksimovic sits somewhere between those two profiles. He is capable of contributing defensively, but also has the passing range to switch play and feed the forwards early. For Werner, the Serbian could be an interesting option if he wants to keep Leipzig’s usual intensity while maintaining a degree of balance. Haidara, on the other hand, would be the real surprise. The Malian international has the engine and work rate for Werner’s style, but he has not been a regular starter recently and would need to deliver immediately to justify such a bold choice.
The tactical approach in Mönchengladbach will also influence the decision. Borussia are dangerous in transition and like to exploit open spaces when opponents push forward too aggressively. Without Ouedraogo, Leipzig must decide if they still commit as many players into the attacking half or if they choose a more cautious set up, with Schlager anchoring the midfield and one of the other candidates operating slightly higher up as a connector. Werner’s selection will give a clear indication of how he wants to manage the balance between attacking ambition and defensive security.
The growing injury list only increases the complexity. With several experienced players missing, Leipzig’s squad depth is being tested earlier than expected. Romulo’s absence removes another option in central areas, Kampl’s unavailability takes away a calm, experienced organiser, while Bitshiabu and Gebel reduce the flexibility in the defensive line. Henrichs, who can cover both full back and midfield positions, would have been especially valuable in a situation like this, which is why the club is so keen to see him back in team training before the end of the year.
Diomande’s decision to play despite a broken nose underlines the mentality within the squad. The defender will likely appear with a face mask, but his presence is important for the back line, both in terms of physicality and leadership. In an away game where aerial duels, set pieces and defensive focus will be decisive, having him on the pitch sends a positive signal to the rest of the team and to the supporters.
Beyond the immediate personnel questions, Leipzig’s visit to Mönchengladbach has broader significance in the context of their season. After mixed results in recent weeks, the club is under pressure to stabilise performances and remain firmly in the race for the Champions League places. Dropped points now could quickly change the mood and narrative around Werner’s tenure, especially with difficult fixtures still to come. The way the team responds to Ouedraogo’s injury, and how seamlessly his replacement integrates into the side, will be seen as a test of the squad’s resilience.
For Ouedraogo himself, the challenge is to recover fully without rushing. The medical staff are keen to avoid any long term complications that could arise from playing through the problem. Given his age and potential, Leipzig will treat his rehabilitation with great care. Internally, there is a clear understanding that he is an important building block for the future, and that short term sacrifices may be necessary to protect his long term development.
Until then, Werner and his staff must find solutions. Whether through Schlager’s experience, Banzuzi’s creativity, Maksimovic’s balance or a surprise from Haidara, Leipzig have options, but none can replicate Ouedraogo one to one. The key will be to adapt the structure around whoever starts, so that the collective compensates for what is missing individually. If that succeeds and Leipzig return from Mönchengladbach with a positive result, the injury could even be seen afterwards as an opportunity that helped the squad grow. If not, the questions about depth, planning and reliance on a teenager will only become louder.
