The RBL Players on international duty

Following the away game against VfL Bochum, some of the RB Leipzig squad will be able to have a rest as the March international break is upon us. Eleven players, though, will be travelling to their respective national teams during the Bundesliga’s two-week break. Here’s an overview of all the upcoming fixtures for our internationals.

Squad news:
Mohamed Simikanhas left international duty with France U21s early due to muscular problems and has returned to Leipzig, where further tests will take place and we will then have an exact diagnosis.

Overall record of RBL’s internationals:

Players: 11
Goals: 3 (Forsberg, Olmo, Szoboszlai)
Assists: 1 (Szoboszlai)
Playing time: 1,551 out of 1,800 possible minutes

David Raum & Timo Werner (Germany)

After missing the 2022 World Cup through injury, Timo Werner has returned to the German national team. Our attacker was named alongside David Raum in Germany’s 2-0 win over Peru on Saturday.

While Timo was replaced by Serge Gnabry at half time, David played the full 90 minutes at left back.

In the second friendly, the team lost 3-2 against Belgium. David and Timo were both in the starting eleven once again, but were replaced by Christian Günter in the 68th minute and Mergim Berisha in the 81st minute, respectively.

Next up for Hansi Flick’s side is another friendly on Tuesday, as they take on Belgium in Cologne.

March 25th: Germany 2-0 Peru
March 28th: Germany 2-3 Belgium

Emil Forsberg (Sweden)

Emil Forsberg is in top form, having recently found the net in four Bundesliga games in a row. It’s no wonder, then, that he has been called up to the Swedish national team, who have two EURO qualifiers on the cards, facing Belgium and Azerbaijan.

Forsberg played 73 minutes of Domenico Tedesco’s first game as Belgium head coach, and was unable to prevent his team falling to a 3-0 defeat. Forsberg lead the way in the second qualifier against Azerbaijan as he opened the scoring in a comfortable 5-0 win.

March 24th: Sweden 0-3 Belgium
March 27th: Sweden 5-0 Azerbaijan

Dani Olmo (Spain)

Following a return from injury and two cameo appearances for RBL, Dani Olmo needed just 13 minutes to score for his country as he was named in the starting XI against Norway on Saturday.

Dani beat Norway goalkeeper and Leipzig teammate Ørjan Nyland to open the scoring in a game that the Spanish side went on to win 3-0 in Malaga.

As planned, Dani was not in the squad for Spain’s 2-0 defeat to Scotland.

March 25th: Spain 3-0 Norway
March 28th: Scotland 2-0 Spain

Willi Orbán & Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)

Willi Orbán and Dominik Szoboszlai started for the Hungary national team during their 1-0 friendly win against Estonia.

Domi Szoboszlai was afforded a particular honour as he wore the captain’s armband for the evening. Hungary now have a European qualifier against Bulgaria on Monday. He then also got on the scoresheet in Hungary’s second European qualifier against Bulgaria with a brilliant freekick.

Normally, Péter Gulácsi would also be in the Hungary team, but the RBL captain is still unavailable following his ACL injury.

March 23rd: Hungary 1-0 Estonia
March 27th: Hungary 3-0 Bulgaria

Joško Gvardiol (Croatia)

Despite being just 21 years old, Joško Gvardiolis already a firm fixture in the Croatian senior team. He started the first of their two EURO qualifiers of the current international break as Croatia hosted Wales.

Andrej Kramaric‘s goal had Croatia ahead until late on, but Wales levelled things up with a last-minute strike to earn a point.

Joško also played the full 90 minutes in the win against Turkey. A brace from Kovacic gave Croatia their first win in European qualifying.

March 25th: Croatia 1-1 Wales
March 28th: Turkey 0-2 Croatia

Konrad Laimer (Austria)

Konrad Laimer and the Austria national team played a European qualifier against Azerbaijan on Friday night. Konni played the full 90 minutes during the 4-1 win and took over the captain’s armband when Marcel Sabitzer was substituted.

Against Estonia, Laimer was Austria captain over the full 90 minutes for the first time in his career. With plenty of chances, Austria narrowly got over the line in their second qualifier thanks to a goal from SC Freiburg’s Gregoritsch.

March 24th: Austria 4-1 Azerbaijan
March 27th: Austria 2-1 Estonia

Amadou Haidara (Mali)

Amadou Haidaraand Mali were knocked out of the most recent Africa Cup of Nations in the quarterfinals. They are now well on the road to qualify for the 2024 edition of the competition. After two wins in their first two AFCON qualifiers, Doudou picked up another win (2-0) with Mali in their game against the Gambia.

In the return game, Mali fell to a 1-0 defeat. Doudou was in the squad but was not subbed on.

March 24th: Mali 2-0 Gambia
March 28th: Gambia 1-0 Mali

Ørjan Nyland (Norway)

Ørjan Nyland was named in goal for Norway’s EURO qualifier against Spain on Saturday but wasn’t able to prevent his side being defeated 3-0.

Ørjan was once again in goal for Norway’s 1-1 draw with Georgia. Former Leipzig player Sørloth scored Norway’s only goal.

March 25th: Spain 3-0 Norway
March 28th: Georgia 1-1 Norway

Mohamed Simakan (France U21)

Defender Mohamed Simakan and fellow Bundesliga players Manu Koné (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Amine Adli (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) will take on England and Spain in the current international break.