“Er hat heute schon trainiert, er ist im Kader dabei,” head coach Martín Demichelis stated on Friday, confirming that Christopher Nkunku is set to return to the matchday squad for RB Leipzig’s Bundesliga fixture against Schalke 04. The 28-year-old attacker is back in contention following a spell sidelined by adductor problems, as LigaInsider reported.
Nkunku rejoined his teammates for training on Friday following a nine-day layoff. While his inclusion in the traveling party provides a timely boost for the Saxony club, Demichelis indicated that a starting role comes too soon for the forward. The manager noted his reluctance to throw players straight into the starting XI without a full week of training behind them, pointing toward a substitute appearance instead.
“Wahrscheinlich haben wir morgen zwei Jungs auf der Bank, die viel mitbringen,” Demichelis said, grouping Nkunku alongside midfielder Christoph Baumgartner as options who could enter the match from the bench. Exact playing time for Nkunku remains undecided, with the coach leaving his potential minutes open.
Reunions and Recent Form on Schalke
The fixture at Schalke 04 also brings a notable reunion on the opposing side, as Sport1 reported. Demichelis will face former Manchester City teammate Edin Dzeko, who now leads the line for Schalke at age 40. “Es ist Wahnsinn, dass er immer noch spielt,” Demichelis remarked of his former colleague, adding that he hopes the forward enjoys the remainder of his career. Despite their shared history in the English Premier League, the RB Leipzig boss emphasized that sentiment will take a backseat to competitive ambitions.
🎙️ Christopher Nkunku on returning to Leipzig:"I'm very happy to be here and I'm convinced I made the right decision. The first week was great and the team have made me feel very welcome."#COMORBL #UCL pic.twitter.com/YyUyo0aufD
Leipzig enters the weekend looking to solidify a recent upturn in results. After suffering heavy defeats against Bayern Munich (1:6) and Real Madrid (1:4), Demichelis’s side steadied its course with a 4:0 victory over SV Elversberg and a 2:1 DFB-Pokal second-round win against third-tier side Rot-Weiss Essen.
Squad Dynamics and Tactical Adjustments
Integrating Nkunku back into the matchday roster offers Demichelis crucial flexibility in the final third. Over the last four seasons, the forward has maintained a consistent statistical profile within the league, making his presence on the bench a significant asset as Leipzig navigates a demanding autumn schedule. Alongside Baumgartner, the attacking alternatives available to the coaching staff give the team tactical depth during matches.
The encounter against Schalke 04 kicks off on Saturday at 15:30 local time (13:30 UTC), marking Leipzig’s next test in the German top flight.
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