Josep Martínez, a goalkeeper born in Alzira (Valencia) and emerged in the lower categories of FC Barcelona, will make his debut today at age 23 in the Champions League in the match that Leipzig will play in Belgium against Club Bruges.
Martínez, signed in July 2020 from Las Palmas, has played two games with the energetic team, one from the Bundesliga and the other from DFB Pokal. In addition, he is an Under-21 international and made his debut with La Roja in the friendly against Lithuania last June.
The second assistant, on the bench and Dani Olmo, goes down
Today Martinez has a great opportunity as the starting goalkeeper and captain, the Hungarian Peter Gulacsi, has tested positive for Covid-19 as has the coach, the American Jesse Marsch. His second assistant, Achim Beierlorzer, will sit on the bench since the first, Marco Kurth, also did not travel as he was the contact of a positive family member.
Leipzig, whose staff and squad are vaccinated or have passed the Covid, also does not have Dani Olmo (down until 2022 due to another muscle injury), Poulsen, Halstenberg and the sanctioned Tyler Adams.
The options of both teams
With one point, that of last day against PSG (2-2), Leipzig can no longer go to the second round and their goal is to win to have options to be third and go to the Europa League.
Bruges (4 points) won in Leipzig (1-2) and a draw ensures that third place but aspires to win to continue dreaming of being in the round of 16.
Probable lineups
Club Brujas-Leipzig
Jan Breydel Stadium 21.00 horas
Mignolet; Clinton Mata, Hendry, Nsoki, Sobol; Sowah, Balanta, Rits, Lang; Vanaken; De Ketelaere
Entrenador: Philippe Clement
Josep Martínez; Orban, Simakan, Gvardiol; Mukiele, Kampl, Laimer, Angeliño; Nkunku, Forsberg; André Silva
Entrenador: Jesse Marsch
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)