RB Leipzig's Castello Lukeba sidelined with muscle injury

RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba is set for a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a muscle injury during the club's 2-1 Bundesliga victory over Werder Bremen. The club confirmed the French centre-back suffered an issue in his left adductor, ruling him out of this weekend's match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

While Leipzig did not provide a specific return date, stating only that Lukeba is "very unlikely" to feature against Gladbach, German publication Kicker reports the injury is a minor muscle fiber tear. This suggests a relatively short absence, with a potential return for the fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt on April 18 if his recovery progresses smoothly. The 21-year-old was forced off in the 71st minute of the win at the Weserstadion, prompting an immediate defensive reshuffle.

Manager Marco Rose is expected to deploy the same solution used in the closing stages against Bremen for the upcoming match. This will see midfielder Nicolas Seiwald drop into the back line to partner captain Willi Orban in central defence. Seiwald's versatility provides crucial cover, but his move creates a vacancy in the midfield engine room.

To fill that gap, Rose could turn to 19-year-old Belgian midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi, who has made several appearances this season. Another option is Brajan Gruda, though the attacking midfielder is himself racing to recover from muscular issues in time to be considered for selection. The situation underscores the tight scheduling challenges Bundesliga clubs face during the run-in, with squad depth being tested.

Lukeba's absence, even if brief, is a blow for Leipzig as they push to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Since his high-profile move from Lyon last summer for a reported fee of €34 million, Lukeba has grown into a key component of Rose's defence, making 30 appearances across all competitions this season. His pace and comfort in possession have been assets in Leipzig's system.

The injury comes at a congested period, with Leipzig also preparing for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Atalanta next week. The club will hope for a swift recovery for the young defender, whose partnership with Orban has been a foundation of their recent improved defensive solidity. For now, the focus shifts to managing his workload carefully to avoid any recurrence or more serious setback.