RB Leipzig vs. Magdeburg: DFB Cup LIVE blog and team news

Just 125km separates RB Leipzig from Magdeburg, but the teams' league placing are worlds apart as they get set to go head to head in the DFB Cup last 16 on Tuesday (kick-off 6pm CET). 

Die Roten Bullen can count an ultimately comfortable 4-1, second-round Pokal win against Energie Cottbus as part of a superb run that has made Ole Werner's side challengers for the Bundesliga title this term. 

Tuesday's hosts boast one of the most exciting young sides around these days and - a scoreless weekend draw at Borussia Mönchengladbach aside - have been firing on the domestic front after an early season blip against Bayern Munich. 

On paper, Leipzig have little to fear against a Magdeburg team rooted to the bottom of the second-division standings, but Petrik Sander's team - winners away to Regional League side FV Illertissen in the last round - are capable of springing an upset. The coach has called on his side to improve their finishing as they get set to grace the Red Bull Arena - and a 3-0 win over Nuremberg on Saturday saw them heed the call. 

LIVE blog!

VS

Leipzig

Tue, 02.12 20:00

Magdeburg

DFB Pokal
Round of 16 Round of 16 Red Bull Arena

Ole Werner on facing Magdeburg

"Magdeburg have embodied a certain style of football for many years. They have many technically strong players on the pitch and they want to play football. They stick to their way of playing, even though they’re having a tougher year. We’re preparing for a team that can also hurt a Bundesliga side."

© IMAGO/Picture Point / Roger Petzsche

Petrik Sander on facing Leipzig

Leipzig are a team from whom we can expect top-level, high-octane football. They have the kind of quality that allows them to compete at the very top of the Bundesliga. Even so, it’s a cup match, and we want to be brave and impose our own playing philosophy.”

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Gerald Oelze-de Stoppany

2:14

Watch: Magdeburg 3-0 Nuremberg - highlights

Bundesliga 2's bottom club got a much-needed victory at the weekend, with only their third win in the league this season. They're now just three points from safety as they head to Leipzig looking for an upset.

Head-to-head

These teams have faced off six times in all competitions previously, although never at a level above the Regionalliga, the fourth tier of German football. Leipzig have won four of those encounters - including the last meeting, 4-0 in 2013 - losing once.

© imago sportfotodienst

Early Magdeburg team news

Magdeburg head coach Petrik Sander, meanwhile, has plenty of injury issues to contemplate. Luka Hyryläinen was a late withdrawal from the Magdeburg squad for the Nuremberg game and could be missing against Leipzig. Meanwhile, Alexander Holmström, Daniel Heber, Jean Hugonet, Samuel Loric and Emir Kuhinja are all expected to miss out. There is some good news, though, as Laurin Ulrich, who was forced off with a problem late on Saturday, has been given the all clear.

© IMAGO/Sportfoto Zink / Daniel Marr

Early Leipzig team news

It seems the Bundesliga side do not have any extra injuries to worry about following the Gladbach clash. Rômulo didn't feature in that one, with Ole Werner saying during his pre-match press conference that the Brazilian would be back sometime this coming week - whether that means he is available here remains to be seen. Elsewhere, Assan Ouédraogo, Benjamin Henrichs and El Chadaille Bitshiabu remain unavailable due to long-term injuries, while Kevin Kampl is currently away from the squad due to personal reasons.

© Maja Hitij

Magdeburg return to winning way

After losing three straight Bundesliga 2 games, Magdeburg were victors once more at the weekend as they defeated Nuremberg 3-0. All three goals came late on, with Mateusz Zukowski netting a late brace as a result.

© IMAGO/Björn Reinhardt

2:03

Watch: Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-0 RB Leipzig - highlights

On Friday night, Leipzig were held to a goalless draw by in-form Gladbach.

Leipzig - the story so far

The 2022 and 2023 DFB Cup winners followed up a 4-2 win at regional league outfit Sandhausen in the first round with a 4-1 success at third-tier Energie Cottbus thanks to a Christoph Baumgartner brace.

© IMAGO/Michael Taeger

Magdeburg - the story so far

The DFB Cup has provided a bit of a respite after a difficult start to the Bundesliga 2 season for Magdeburg. They followed a 3-1 win in a tricky opening round tie at renowned cup specialists Saarbrücken with a comfortable 3-0 success over regional league side Illertissen in the second round.

© IMAGO/Maximilian Koch

Welcome!

Welcome and thank you for joining us for build-up and live coverage of the DFB Cup Round of 16 match between RB Leipzig and Magdeburg. The game is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 p.m. CET on Tuesday.

About the clubs

RB Leipzig

Red Bull Arena

1. FC Magdeburg

Avnet Arena