Much sympathy for keeper
RB Leipzig in shock after Gulacsi injury
10/06/2022, 11:18 am
In the Champions League, RB Leipzig collects the first points in the home game against Celtic Glasgow in the third game of the season. But that is only a side issue later: the serious injury to the support Peter Gulacsi shocked the club. The Hungarian is out for a long time.
The bitter news about Peter Gulacsi tore Marco Rose and RB Leipzig abruptly out of any Champions League euphoria. “Possibly a few days” the captain would be missing, coach Rose had said – and already suspected that it would be many, many days. A few minutes later, the worst-case scenario came true: the shock diagnosis of a cruciate ligament rupture for the regular keeper overshadowed the atmospheric win against Celtic Glasgow.
Late in the evening after the all-important 3-1 (1-0) win, the first teammates virtually expressed their support. “I’m sure you’ll get through this situation and come back stronger than ever,” wrote offensive player Dani Olmo on Twitter: “Get well soon, captain! We’re all with you.” Behind them, the Spaniard, who has only just started training himself after an inner ligament injury, put a heart into it.
National player Lukas Klostermann also tweeted with compassion: “It will be tough, but you will master it and come back stronger.” Emil Forsberg (“He’s been my buddy for eight years”) says he felt “a little bad” despite the win.
The accident happened after ten minutes of the game: Gulacsi was unable to properly process a harmless back pass from Timo Werner. The Hungarian got into trouble in a running duel with Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi and played a bad pass, then buckled his right leg. Gulacsi remained lying, apparently badly injured in his knee, and clasped his hands in front of his head. After minutes of treatment, the captain left the field on a stretcher to the chanting of the fans – a farewell for a long time.
Substitutes are experienced but without top-level experience
Amidst England’s weeks of landmark games in all three competitions, the Gulacsi-Aus are hitting RB hard. “This really hurts us. Pete has been a total bank for years,” said Rose. “The boys won the game for him too.” The fact that he can rely on the Hungarian representative is of little consolation at best. Champions League debutant Janis Blaswich, who had already successfully replaced Gulacsi, who had an adductor injury at the time, in August, spectacularly prevented the deficit against Furuhashi shortly after his substitution. “Janis was there immediately and defused two or three situations well,” praised Rose.
Janis Blaswich may now guard the Leipzig goal.
(Photo: picture alliance/dpa)
Involuntarily, the 31-year-old veteran Blaswich, who wished Gulacsi “all the best from the bottom of my heart”, will be the focus for at least the next eleven competitive games until the long World Cup break. He also played his part in RB earning the first three premier class points against the Scottish champions on the third attempt. “We’ve finally opened up the group for ourselves, that’s all,” said Rose, whose side have to improve their fight for the knockout stage in Tuesday’s second leg.
In a fast-paced game, Christopher Nkunku (27th), who is said to have already signed for Chelsea, and double packer Andre Silva (64th/77th) met for RB. The Portuguese Jota (47th) had equalized in the meantime – Peter Gulacsi was no longer on the field.