CASTELLO LUKEBA NEWS

Finds bench spot Saturday Lukeba (shoulder) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Hoffenheim.

Impact Lukeba was not fit enough to start despite training Friday and had to settle for a spot on the bench Saturday. This marks the first time this season he has not featured in the starting XI. That said, he will likely see minutes later in the game depending on how it unfolds.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Late call for Saturday Lukeba (shoulder) is a late call for Saturday's match against Hoffenheim, according to his club.

Impact Lukeba is still dealing with the shoulder injury he suffered in the club's last outing and will not be a late call for Saturday, needing to go through Friday's training session before a final decision is made. The club will monitor his status closely, as he has been a regular starter this season, having yet to miss a start. If he were to miss out, this would force a change, with El Chadaille Bitshiabu or Lukas Klostermann as possible replacements.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Day-to-day with shoulder injury Lukeba (shoulder) is day-to-day due to a shoulder injury he suffered against Stuttgart, Leipzig announced.

Impact Lukeba is in doubt for Saturday's trip to Hoffenheim due to the shoulder issue. The defender has been a consistent starter when healthy, so if this is a concern it would be a blow. If he's unable to go Saturday, Lukeba will have the international break to recover immediately after that match.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Plays U21 EURO with France Lukeba (abdomen) is currently playing the U21 EURO Championship with France, confirming he is fully back fit.

Impact Lukeba has fully recovered from his abdomen injury that made him miss the end of the season with Leipzig, as the defender is currently playing with the French Espoirs in the U21 EURO Championship. Lukeba is performing well, having received the MOTM award in the first game against Portugal and delivered an assist in the second one against Georgia. The Frenchman will head back to Leipzig after the competition to prepare for the 2025/26 season.

JUNE 19 • ROTOWIRE

Out with muscle injury Lukeba is out for Saturday's match against Stuttgart due to an abdominal muscle injury, accoridng to his club.

Impact Lukeba is going to miss the season finale, with the defender being left on the sidelines after suffering a muscle injury during training. This is a tough loss for the club, as he is a regular starter when fit. He ends his season starting in 18 of his 23 appearances while notching 17 interceptions, 31 tackles and 68 clearances.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: PSG eyeing Los Blancos ace, club learn Castello Lukeba price, and more - February 23, 2025 Real Madrid welcome Girona to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, February 23, in LaLiga. Carlo Ancelotti's team arrive at the game sitting thi...

FEBRUARY 23 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Available for Saturday Lukeba (thigh) featured against Sturm Graz on Wednesday and is fully available for upcoming fixtures.

Impact Lukeba returned from his thigh injury in the match against Sturm Graz and is expected to be available for the Union Berlin game on Saturday. It is unclear whether he will start or if El Chadaille Bitshiabu will continue to fill in for him until Lukeba regains full fitness.

JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Could be an option Saturday Lukeba (thigh) returned to team training Thursday and could be available for the squad tomorrow, according to the club.

Impact Lukeba is likely to be a late call for Saturday's game against Leverkusen after training normally with the team on Thursday. If fit, he is expected to start, as he has in all 13 of his appearances this season.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Misses out Wednesday Lukeba (thigh) is out for Wednesday's match against Sporting.

Impact Lukeba is not returning despite training and an expected return, as he is sidelined yet again. However, he should still be nearing a return, likely fit to face Leverkusen on Saturday. He will hope to see a starting role immediately once fit, starting in all 13 of his appearances this season.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Trains Tuesday, option Wednesday Lukeba (thigh) is an option for Wednesday's match against Sporting, according to his club.

Impact Lukeba is finally back in the fold after a long absence, as he has missed the club's past seven games. However, he will still have to pass a fitness test ahead of the match to confirm his fitness. That said, it is up in the air if he will see his regular starting spot immediately if fit, as he has started in all 13 appearances this campaign.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Not available for Saturday Lukeba (thigh) is nearing a comeback from his injury and is currently working individually on his recovery. However, he will remain unavailable for Saturday's match against Bochum,...

Impact Lukeba has been sidelined since late November with a thigh injury but is targeting a return next week. He could feature in the Champions League match against Sporting. If he remains unavailable, his next opportunity would be Saturday's home game against defending champions Leverkusen.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing return Lukeba (thigh) is nearing a return and is doubtful for Sunday's match against Werder Bremen, according to his club.

Impact Lukeba is nearing a return, although Sunday will likely be too early for him, with the defender still not fully cleared for action. However, he still has yet to be ruled out also, leaving a small window for an appearance. That said, even if he is fit, he will likely only see a bench spot.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Working individually Lukeba (thigh) is training individually outdoors, according to his club.

Impact Lukeba could be in for a quicker return than the two months initially reported, as he is already back in individual training. We will probably need another week or two before he sees team training but does set him up for a possible return after the winter break.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out for around two months Lukeba was injured and subbed off in the first half of Saturday's 5-1 loss against Wolfsburg.

Impact Lukeba sustained a muscle injury in his left thigh and is expected to miss about two months, as the club has opted for a conservative treatment approach. Lukas Klostermann, as reported by the club, is a leading candidate to replace Lukeba and could be included in the squad for the German Cup Wednesday.

DECEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Injured against Wolfsburg Lukeba was forced off in the first half of Saturday's match against Wolfsburg.

Impact Lukeba left the match in the 31st minute, pulling up with a hamstring injury and being replaced by Nicolas Seiwald. The extent of Lukeba's injury should be determined ahead of next week's match at Kiel.

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Saturday Lukeba (strain) is in the starting XI for Saturday's clash with Hoffenheim.

Impact Lukeba is back in the starting XI after overcoming a muscular injury. The defender is a key piece of the XI and should continue in a major role as long as he can stay fit moving forward.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoining team training Lukeba (strain) is set to return to training this week and is questionable for Saturday's match against Hoffenheim, according to his club.

Impact Lukeba has seen some good progression in his return from a strain, as he is now likely to get into team training this week. This is great news for the club, as he has missed their past three games but has been a regular starter this campaign. That said, ig he is fit to face Hoffenheim on Saturday, he will look to gain the start immediately.

NOVEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out with muscle injury Lukeba is out for Saturday's match against Dortmund due to a muscle injury, according to his club.

Impact Lukeba is a late scratch for Saturday's match, with the defender being ruled out when the starting XI was announced due to muscle issues. He is a regular starter so this is a significant loss, with Lukas Klostermann taking his spot in the starting XI. That said, he will look for a return in their next match, although he may be sat until after the international break.

NOVEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Extends contract Lukeba has extended his contract with Leipzig, according to his club.

Impact Lukeba is sett o remain with Leipzig over the next few seasons, inking an extension until 2029. The 21-year-old has already played 50 matches for the club, starting in all eight of his appearances this campaign. That said, he should only see his role grow as he remains with the team, looking to be a regular starter in the defense for years to come.

OCTOBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Busy defensively in win Lukeba made two tackles (one won), three clearances, one interception and one block while helping his side to keep a clean sheet during Saturday's 1-0 win over Bochum.

Impact Lukeba committed a huge mistake that could've led the opposition to open the scoring in the first half. but then he fixed it with a blocked shot inside the six-yard box and several other interventions to help his team shutting the opposition out. After earning a place in the starting XI last season, the center-back comes to the new one with a different status. but this performance just indicates that his drive to excel remains the same.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Busy defensively in win Lukeba made two tackles (one won), three clearances, one interception and one block while helping his side to keep a clean sheet during Saturday's 1-0 win over Bochum.

Impact Lukeba committed a huge mistake that could've led the opposition to open the scoring in the first half. but then he fixed it with a blocked shot inside the six-yard box and several other interventions to help his team shutting the opposition out. After earning a place in the starting XI last season, the center-back comes to the new one with a different status. but this performance just indicates that his drive to excel remains the same.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Establishes huge role Lukeba made 32 appearances (24 starts) keeping seven clean sheets in the Bundesliga.

Impact Lukeba made the most of injuries ahead of him in the depth chart, immediately taking a major role in the starting XI. The center-back was a major contributor in a back three and back four and did well during his first season with Leipzig. Lukeba will hope to hold onto this role, especially with Willi Orban struggling with injuries and age.

MAY 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Logs double-digit clearances in win Lukeba made one tackle, 11 clearances and 11 interception while helping his side to keep a clean sheet during Saturday's 3-0 win over Wolfsburg.

Impact Lukeba had arguably his best performance of the campaign, racking up double-digit clearances for the first time while imposing his will against forwards. The center-back had more clearances than on his previous five starts combined, so this was a huge bounceback game for him and he'll hope to keep it up during this final stretch of the season.

APRIL 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Makes bench Saturday Lukeba (back) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Frankfurt.

Impact Lukeba returns from a back injury which forced him off early in Leipzig's final match before the winter break. The defender had started three of Leipzig's last four matches in all competitions but settles for a substitutes role Saturday.

JANUARY 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Training with squad Lukeba (back) participated in Thursday's training session.

Impact Lukeba was forced off at halftime against Werder Bremen on Dec. 19 but appears to be in the mix to rejoin the squad when the Bundesliga resumes Jan. 13 against Eintracht Frankfurt. Once given the all-clear, the central defender should be in the mix to reclaim his spot in the starting XI where he figures to rack up plenty of defensive stats but will offer limited offensive upside.

JANUARY 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE