RB Leipzig 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt Replay: DFB Pokal Final 2022-23

9:30 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the RB Leipzig vs Eintracht Frankfurt match in the DFB Pokal Final 2022-23. The kick-off is just two hours away! I’m your host Sayantan, and I’ll be keeping you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load

RB Leipzig is looking to end their Bundesliga season with some silverware and retain their DFB Pokal title for a second consecutive year. Last year, they were able to prevail over Freiburg on penalties, and another rare opportunity to lift some key silverware in German football awaits them. Marco Rose’s side had a great start to the season and was unbeaten since September until the season restarted after the World Cup in January.

However, their season again spiralled backwards after being routed by Manchester City in the Round of 16 in the UCL. They lost impetus and momentum in the Bundesliga and lost two in a row right after to Bochum & Mainz and were out of the title race.

However, their saving grace once again was the DFB Pokal, and that propelled them to end the season on a six-game winning streak including a 1-5 away win against Freiburg to reach the final. Leipzig eventually finished third in the Bundesliga table and also won 9 of their last 10 matches (including both Bundesliga & DFB). With established names such as Nkunku and Laimer, leaving at the end of the season, it would be an appropriate way to end a successful cycle at RB, with another DFB Cup win.

For Eintracht Frankfurt, there has been a significant drop in this season’s performance with a lot of changes in their player personnel as well as their current manager Oliver Glasner leaving at the end of the season. After winning the Europa League last year, they’re unable to build on their success further as Filip Kostic left for a big move to Juventus while signing Mario Gotze was the only major addition.

They’re able to finish 7th in the Bundesliga and have made a successful run to reach the DFB Pokal final. Similar to RB Leipzig, they’re also on the verge of losing key players such as Kamada, Ndicka & Randall Kolo Muani to bigger clubs in the summer while moving into a transition year. They’ve beaten Darmstadt, Union Berlin & Stuttgart on their way to the final, and can qualify for the Europa League next year, by winning the DFB Cup final.

RB Leipzig form (all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions): W-D-W-L-W

Players to watch out for

RB Leipzig: Konrad Laimer

The Austrian midfielder is looking to finish his RB Leipzig career on a high as looks for his second DFB Pokal trophy to his silverware collection. His high-intensity pressing and off-ball qualities have been crucial in RB Leipzig’s successes over the years. He scored twice in the last two matches including one against Bayern in a 1-3 away win in Munich.

He’ll be seen in Bayern Munich colours next year and will look to end his time with some more silverware. Also if one player signifies what RB Leipzig football stands for, the name of Konrad Laimer always stands out who’s a leader in the middle of the park, and someone who never stops running and giving it his all.

Schalke: Randall Kolo Muani

The French forward has been involved more than any other attacker this year with 15 goals and 11 assists, in the Bundesliga and helped his side finish 7th in the final game of the season with a 2-1 comeback victory over Freiburg. With several suitors for his services in the summer including giants Bayern Munich and Manchester United, he’ll be looking to make an impression on a big stage with another goal or assist to his DFB Pokal leading goal contribution of six goals(1st) and three assists, against RB Leipzig.

Match Facts

Leipzig, who are contesting their third final in four years, are bidding to become the seventh different team to win back-to-back DFB Cups.

Frankfurt are one of the sides winning back to back DFB Pokals in 1974-75 & 1975-76.

Frankfurt won their only previous cup meeting with Leipzig 3-1 in the 2019-20 round of 16.

Kolo Muani has a tournament-leading six goals in this season’s competition, one more than Leipzig counterpart Werner.

Head to Head

Matches: 15

RB Leipzig wins: 4

Eintracht Frantfurt wins: 4

Draws: 7

Team & Injury News

For Leipzig Only goalkeeper Gulasci who’s out for the season. Forward Silva could also miss out with a thigh injury.

Eintracht Frankfurt will be without forward Alario (knee) & centre-back Smolcic (knee) for the final.

Predicted Lineups

RB Leipzig predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Blaswich – Henrichs, Klostermann, Orban (c), Raum – Olmo, Laimer, Haidara, Szoboszlai – Nkunku, Werner

Eintracht Frankfurt predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Trapp (c) – Tuta, Hasebe, N’Dicka – Buta, Rode, Sow, Lenz – Lindstrom, Götze – Kolo Muani