RB Leipzig will begin its first competitive match of the season in Trier on Saturday at 18 Uhr, and the most notable lineup decision is already clear: Conrad Harder will not start, even with Romulo unavailable through injury.
Instead, Martin Demichelis has opted for Tidiam Gomis, a choice that says a lot about where Leipzig stands right now. Gomis made only two starts for RB Leipzig last season, but he has been backed by Demichelis to remain at the club and now gets the chance to begin the DFB-Pokal opener on the pitch rather than watching from the bench.
What the lineup call means
The decision is more than a simple personnel swap. Harder arrived with expectations, but he is already being described as a likely departure candidate after a disappointing first year. That makes his omission in Trier even more revealing, especially with Romulo out and Leipzig entering a match that should have offered a clear opening for him.
There is also a broader squad picture behind the move. RB Leipzig are working through a 33 Mann group and still need to create room for departures, which means every selection carries added weight. Starting Gomis over Harder suggests Demichelis is willing to reward recent trust and keep the squad competition open, even in a cup match where experience might have pointed in another direction.
Squad leadership and the weeks ahead
The leadership structure remains in place as Leipzig move through the early stages of the season. Willi Orban continues as captain, with David Raum as vice-captain. That stability matters as the club balances a busy squad and a first competitive test in Trier.
One week later, Maxime Estéve is expected to be fit for the league opener against Gladbach, which should give Leipzig another defensive option as the focus shifts from cup football to Ligastart. For now, though, the headline is simple: Conrad Harder is out of the starting team, and Tidiam Gomis gets the nod for Eintracht Trier in the DFB-Pokal.
As Jürgen Klopp has said, “Intensity is our Identity,” and Leipzig will be judged quickly on whether that identity shows up from the first whistle in Trier.
