Brajan Gruda is a doubt for RB Leipzig's Bundesliga away match at Werder Bremen on Saturday. The 22-year-old midfielder sustained an ankle injury in the 3-0 home win over Borussia Mönchengladbach, as the club reported.
Head coach Martin Demichelis revealed on Thursday that Gruda is carrying a knock. "We'll have to see what's possible. He's carrying a knock," Demichelis said. The injury occurred in the season opener at the Red Bull Arena, a result that propelled Leipzig to 4th place in the standings.
Who could replace Gruda?
If Gruda fails to recover in time, Demichelis has several options. Christopher Nkunku, who joined on loan from AC Milan in the summer, came off the bench against Gladbach and is ready for a starting role. "He is ready to start, but we'll see," the coach said of the Frenchman. Nkunku had trained separately in Milan before returning to build his fitness. Another midfield option is new loan signing Neil El Aynaoui. The 25-year-old joined RB Leipzig from AS Roma on Tuesday and could feature if Demichelis deems him ready.
The injury concerns extend beyond Gruda. Rocco Reitz is ruled out with a thigh injury until after the international break. Alongside Christoph Baumgartner and now Gruda, three names feature on the club's current injuries list. These absences test the squad's depth, especially ahead of a demanding stretch in the fixtures schedule.
What is the current league standing?
RB Leipzig started the season with a commanding 3-0 victory, placing them fourth with a +3 goal difference. The next fixture is the trip to the Weserstadion to face Werder Bremen on September 5, 2026. Bremen currently sits in 15th place. A win in Bremen would be important to maintain the early momentum from the home game and build pressure in the upper reaches of the table. The current standings show the competition in the Bundesliga is tight.
What does this mean for the lineup?
The potential absences force Demichelis to consider adjustments in midfield. Nkunku's return offers experienced quality, while El Aynaoui brings fresh potential. The decision will depend on how Gruda presents himself in the final training sessions before the trip to Bremen. The coach must weigh the risk of an early return against relying on the alternatives. The squad possesses a broad squad list to compensate for such short-term setbacks.
The match in Bremen is RB Leipzig's first away test of the season. The game kicks off on Saturday at the Weserstadion.
