RB Leipzig Set to Host Juventus in Champions League Clash

RB Leipzig is set to host Juventus in an eagerly anticipated UEFA Champions League match this Wednesday. The German side is coming off a narrow 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in their opening group stage match, while Juventus secured a solid 3-1 victory over PSV.

The Red Bulls have had a mixed start to their Bundesliga campaign. They begun with a 1-0 win over Bochum and followed with a dramatic comeback victory against Bayer Leverkusen, overturning a two-goal deficit to win 3-2. Despite being outshot 26-8 in that match, Leipzig showcased their resilience. However, their form dipped with a frustrating 0-0 home draw against Union Berlin, a game that saw them miss a crucial penalty. The struggles continued internationally as they succumbed to a last-minute defeat in Madrid, being heavily outshot 21-7.

Domestically, Leipzig managed to regain some confidence with a commanding 4-0 triumph over Augsburg on Saturday. However, they are facing injury concerns, with central midfielder Xaver Schlager sidelined with a knee injury, and Forzan Assan Ouedraogo doubtful. Eljif Elmas is expected to return, but veteran Kevin Kampl is out until after the FIFA international break due to a groin issue. Manager Marco Rose may choose between a 4-2-2-2 or a 3-4-3 formation, as they look to rebound from their late loss to Atletico.

Juventus, under the new management of Thiago Motta, enters the match with a unique record. Despite keeping clean sheets in the first six Serie A matches, they have been involved in three goalless draws. A strong performance against PSV was a highlight in their Champions League opener, but their domestic scoring drought persisted until a 3-0 win over Genoa on Saturday.

The Italian side’s squad will miss Timothy Weah due to an ankle injury, with Arkadiusz Milik also a doubt. The starting lineup could remain unchanged from their recent domestic success, although midfield acquisitions Douglas Luiz and Khephren Thuram-Ulien might remain on the bench. Chico Conceicao, who scored off the bench in the last match, will be hopeful for a starting nod.

Juventus is expected to adopt a possession-oriented strategy, looking to control the game tempo and potentially secure a draw as an acceptable result. The Italian team has kept six clean sheets in their last seven matches but faces the challenge of reversing a series of poor results in away fixtures in the Champions League, having lost four of their last five.

The upcoming fixture promises to be an intriguing encounter, as Leipzig boasts a strong home record in the Champions League, while Juventus will aim to leverage their defensive solidity. With Leipzig’s attacking potential and Juventus’s defensive strengths, both teams could find the back of the net.