RB Leipzig will be forced to play behind closed doors again at least until December 12 due to the anti-Covid restrictions adopted by the federal state of Saxony in the face of the upturn in cases that is being registered in Germany.
Undoubtedly a decision that harms Leipzig’s footballing interests both in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League. Thus, the energetic team will host Manchester City on December 7 without an audience in the Red Bull Arena stands, quite a handicap considering that in this match on the last day of group A of the European tournament, they can play their last options to go. to the Europa League.
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Leipzig is bottom with a point in 4 games and on Wednesday they visit Club Brugge, which adds 4. The Germans, no longer able to go to the second round of the Champions League, aspire to third place, which leads to the Europa League, but to keep hope of getting it they absolutely need to win in Belgium.
Otherwise, Leipzig would already be eliminated from Europe this season. For Pep Guardiola’s City, leaders with 9 points, the game on December 7 would also be inconsequential if on Wednesday they beat PSG in the Etihad, second with 8 points, and secured their place in the round of 16 as first in the group.
A game that can be decisive
A draw or a defeat against Messi, Neymar and Mbappé will maintain the excitement until the last day and there City would have an advantage for visiting a Leipzig that would not have the support of their fans in the stands.
The authorities of Saxony have prohibited public access to all sporting events at least until December 12, in addition to many other precautionary measures, given the rebound in the pandemic as it is the federal state of Germany with the highest incidence of Covid -19, with 793 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last seven days. and at the same time the least vaccinated (less than 60%).
Leipzig criticizes the authorities
Leipzig, through a statement, criticized the Saxon government on Saturday “for not having devised a valid plan to stop the pandemic.”
In addition to the match against Manchester City, Leipzig will have to play the Bundesliga matches against Bayer Leverkusen this Sunday and Borussia Mönchengladbach (December 11) without their supporters.
In Bavaria the authorities have also announced new restrictions starting this week, but stadiums can be filled to 25% of their maximum capacity. Of course, spectators must be vaccinated or cured and present a negative PCR test.