Saturday's match at the Mercedes-Benz Arena (kick-off 15:30 CET) provides an opportunity to bounce back, even if the task at hand is a difficult one. "We need points," said head coach Markus Weinzierl at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, aware of the stakes after last week's disappointing result.
"Our current situation is very difficult," the 44-year-old said. "As coach, I'm among those responsible for it. Obviously we can't afford to play like we did in Düsseldorf again. We need to show a different side of ourselves. We need to win over our fans again."
Gomez available, Gonzalez suspended
Weinzierl added that preparations for the team's 11th home game of the season have been "target-oriented", but is conscious of the visitors' strength. Leipzig are pursuing UEFA Champions League qualification, have the best defensive record in the Bundesliga this season with just 18 goals conceded, and boast pace in abundance in attack.
"Leipzig are a very dynamic, very well organised team and they have lots of individual quality," said Weinzierl. "It's up to us to keep them as far away from our goal as possible."
The VfB coach will have to make do without Nicolas Gonzalez on Saturday after the forward received a three-match ban following his sending-off in Düsseldorf. Mario Gomez is in line to replace him, having served a one-game suspension of his own. "Mario's always our first choice," said Weinzierl. "He's an important player for us. He deserves huge credit for his conduct in recent weeks. The fact he was with us in Düsseldorf even though he was suspended is not something you can take for granted and goes to show what the club and the team mean to him." Dennis Aogo (calf) and Timo Baumgartl (mild concussion) also both remain sidelined.