Fresh off a chastening defeat to Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig will hope to have Timo Werner firing on all cylinders against promoted Fortuna Düsseldorf on Sunday (kick-off: 3.30PM CEST/ 1.30PM GMT/ 9.30AM ET).
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Leipzig took the lead inside 32 seconds through Jean-Kevin Augustin in Dortmund, but were 3-1 down come the half-time whistle before succumbing to a comprehensive 4-1 loss. The game came hot on the heels of a UEFA Europa League play-off tie in Ukraine, prompting acting head coach Ralf Rangnick to make eight changes to his starting XI. Captain Willi Orban and chief goal-getter Werner were among those to make way, although the latter did feature in the second half. Depending on how Die Roten Bullen fare in their decisive second leg against Zorya Luhansk on Thursday night, Rangnick may well opt for another overhaul. He has no fresh injury concerns, in any case.
Düsseldorf also lost from a winning position on Matchday 1. Summer signing Benito Raman scored the opener at the Merkur Spiel-Arena, only for Augsburg to turn the game on its head with two goals in the space of 21 second-half minutes. Raman looks a safe bet to lead the line alongside captain Rouwen Hennings in Leipzig. Dodi Lukebakio and Marvin Ducksch are also vying for a start in attack, after coming on for the aforementioned duo last time out. Kenan Karaman, a summer buy from Eintracht Frankfurt, is an option, should head coach Friedhelm Funkel plump for an extra man in midfield, but veteran Oliver Fink remains sidelined.
Probable line-ups
Leipzig: Gulacsi – Klostermann, Orban (c), Upamecano, Saracchi – Forsberg, Demme, Kampl, Bruma – Werner, AugustinAbsentees: NoneCoach: Ralf Rangnick
Düsseldorf: Rensing – Zimmer, Ayhan, Hoffmann, Gießelmann – Morales, Sobotka – Zimmermann, Stöger, Raman – Hennings (c)Absentees: Fink (calf), Froese (ankle), Nielsen (knock), Wiesner (pubic bone)Coach: Friedhelm Funkel