Bitshiabu rises to the occasion in Leipzig defence amid Lukeba absence

El Chadaille Bitshiabu is emerging as a standout figure in RB Leipzig’s central defence, stepping up impressively while Castello Lukeba remains sidelined with ongoing adductor problems.

With Lukeba ruled out again for the home match against Union Berlin on Friday night, the 20-year-old defender is expected to keep his place in the starting XI.

Head coach Ole Werner highlighted the youngster’s “positive trend” at his press conference and praised the way Bitshiabu has developed in recent weeks. Having already filled in for Lukeba in the last two games, he now looks far more mature than at the start of the year. “He is still learning and is handling this opportunity, which has now arisen again, differently than he did the last one,” Werner noted, underlining how Bitshiabu is handling this new opportunity with greater composure and focus.

Werner also pointed out that the defender is now translating his huge potential into more consistent performances, a crucial factor for Leipzig’s defensive stability at this stage of the season.

Bitshiabu has played a key role in tightening things up at the back, with Leipzig conceding just one goal against Eintracht Frankfurt and keeping a clean sheet versus Borussia Mönchengladbach, reinforcing Werner’s belief that “many things that work in a team start from the back.”