MOHAMED SIMAKAN NEWS

Starts and plays 90 Simakan (undisclosed) started and played 90 minutes in Saturday's 4-1 DFB Pokal win against Essen.

Impact Simakan has returned ahead of the season after dealing with issues that ruled him as limited in practice around a week ago. This is great news for the club, as he will likely be a regular starter this campaign, starting in 23 of his 32 appearances last season while notching 29 interceptions, 48 tackles and 68 clearances.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in training Simakan was limited in training Wednesday, according to his club.

Impact Simakan looks to be dealing with an issue, as the defender was limited to individual training in the morning but then progressed to group training in their later practice session. It is unknown what his exact issues are, with no report of an injury at ht moment, although it is safe to say he isn't 100 percent. This will be something to monitor, as he is likely to be a regular starter and this puts his status for opening day in question.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Career-high minutes Simakan scored twice and assisted three times during 2,139 minutes.

Impact Simakan was a bench option early in the Bundesliga, but with injuries elsewhere in the backline he became a constant in the starting XI. The defender added five goal contributions, for a new career-high while also totaling new highs in minutes and passes. Simakan could see plenty of rotation moving forward, but he should see chances both at full-back and center-back.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Assists in draw Simakan assisted once to go with two shots (zero on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen.

Impact Simakan created a pair of chances and found Benjamin Sesko for the equalizing goal during Saturday's draw. The defender has been active all over the backline and has produced on both sides of the ball as a center-back and full-back. Simakan will likely finish the season in the starting XI with just a single match left to play.

MAY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Available off bench Friday Simakan (calf) is on the bench for Friday's game against RB Leipzig.

Impact Simakan trained during the week, so his inclusion on the bench is not really surprising. He's started three times over Leipzig's last seven games, and he could be in line to make another start before the Bundesliga campaign ends in mid-May.

MAY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to train fuly Simakan (calf) begun individual training and is set to train fully Thursday ahead of Friday's trip to Hoffenheim.

Impact Simakan left last match with a calf injury after getting the start while playing 51 minutes. The good news is the defender's injury is nothing serious and will likely return Friday. He could be an option to start again for the team, having started three time in the last seven appearances, logging in a goal and an assist in that span.

MAY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Scores before injury Simakan scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund. He was subbed off due to...

Impact Simikan scored a goal at the very beginning of the second half Saturday, a goal which took the 3-1 lead off a Lois Openda assist. He was subbed off six minutes later with a "slight injury" according to the team's X account. Before he left the match he also won two tackles, made one clearance and picked up a yellow card in his 52 minutes of action.

APRIL 27 • ROTOWIRE

Bags assist Simakan assisted once to go with zero corners and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 victory against FC Heidenheim.

Impact Simakan was only on the field for 19 minutes Saturday but still made a large impact, as he assisted on Lois Openda's goal in the 85th minute of the win. The defender now has four goal contributions on the season across all competitions, with two of those being assists. However, he was slightly quiet in the defense, notching one tackle won and a clearance.

APRIL 21 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Friday Simakan (undisclosed) is on the bench for Friday's match against Koln.

Impact Simakan is back on the team sheet, missing no time after going down late in last week's match against Darmstadt due to an undisclosed issue. He will now look to return to the starting XI in the club's next contest, as he has started in 27 of his 31 appearances this season.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers late injury Simakan recorded three shots (one on goal), seven crosses (two accurate) and four chances created in Saturday's 2-0 win over SV Darmstadt 98. He was injured and subbed out in the 8...

Impact Simakan suffered the injury just a few minutes before the game's second half went into extra time. He will have less than a week to recover before Leipzig's team is scheduled to play at Koln on Friday. Even if Simakan turns out fine by then, chances are high Benjamin Henrichs returns to his starting spot at right-back, where he did not start Saturday after a mid-week Champions League game against Real Madrid.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Suspension served Simakan served a one-match ban during Wednesday's one-all draw with Madrid in the Champions League.

Impact Simakan picked up the ban due to accumulation and is available for the first Champions League clash of 2024/25. The defender has been in and out of the starting XI in recent weeks, and should be fully rested and available for Saturday's clash with Darmstadt back in Bundesliga action.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE

Ineligible versus Real Madrid Simakan will serve a one-match suspension against Real Madrid on Wednesday after picking up his third yellow card.

Impact Simakan has been in the squad for all of one of RB Leipzig's 30 Bundesliga and Champions League matchups, another one-match ban for accumulation in domestic action. Having said that, the defender has started just twice in the club's last four contests, so he may not have been a lock for the starting XI even if available. With Lukas Klostermann (hamstring) unavailable, Christopher Lenz could make just his second start of the season.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Sees yellow Simakan had one shot (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 2-1 defeat versus Bayern Munich. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 78th minute.

Impact Simakan was left behind the ball for a large portion of Saturday's loss, but did well for large portions of the match to frustrate the Munich attacks. The defender has been a central piece of the starting XI when fit, playing on the outside of the back-three and occasionally in a back four as well. Simakan will continue to play a major role, and should have more manageable matches on the horizon.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up fifth yellow card Simakan will not be an option for Sunday's match against Union Berlin, having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Stuttgart on Saturday.

Impact Simakan is heading to the sidelines for the first time this season, having been suspended due to yellow card accumulation. This will be a tough blow for Leipzig, as the defender has appeared in every match this season, only missing out on one start. His most likely replacement will be Benjamin Henrichs, who will fill his role until he is available once again on Feb. 10 against Augsburg.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Active offensively Simakan took five off target shots and created two chances during Saturday's 1-0 loss to Frankfurt.'

Impact Simakan was at fault for the lone goal of the match, but was active in attack during Saturday's defeat. The defender has taken seven shots and made seven clearances across his last three starts.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Rare goal in win Simakan scored one goal to go with two shots (one on target) in Saturday's 3-1 win over Hoffenheim.

Impact Simakan has only scored one each season since 2020, with just three in the Bundesliga. He has been doing a fine job at center back this season, logging in an average of 3.1 clearances per game with 22 in the last six games in all competitions.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leader in blocks, clearances Simakan blocked three shots, made two interceptions and five clearances during Tuesday's 2-1 win over Red Star Belgrade.

Impact Simakan was a part of the Leipzig back line that only conceded via an own goal while leading the team in blocks and clearances in the win. Simakan has made seven interceptions, 13 clearances and blocked five shots in his last four matches in all competitions.

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes over defense Simakan has started every match before the international break, scoring and assisting once.

Impact Simakan was behind Willi Orban and Josko Gvardiol in 2022/23 but with both of them out of the picture it's been Simakan who is leading the line. The center-back has started every single match and gone the full 90 in six matches in a row. He gets a well-deserved rest during the break before heading back to marshal the defense. Simakan has made 21 tackles and 25 clearances in nine starts in all competitions.

OCTOBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opens scoring Simakan scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Tuesday's 3-1 win over BSC Young Boys. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 90t...

Impact Simakan got on the scoresheet inside the opening four minutes during Tuesday's win. The center-back isn't much of a goal threat outside of set-pieces but displayed some strong movement to get on the end of a cross and find the back of the net. Simakan is set for major minutes with injuries elsewhere in the defense.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes XI against Augsburg Simakan (leg) is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Augsburg.

Impact Simakan played in a friendly match against Slask Wrocklaw during the international break and progressed well in training, so his presence in the XI here was never in doubt. On the season, Simakan has racked up 13 tackles (10 won), six clearances and one assist through three matches.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Features in friendly Simakan (leg) played the entire friendly versus Slask Wroclaw on Thursday.

Impact Simakan was forced off in the 67th minute against Union Berlin on Sunday but appears to be no worse for the wear. With the central defender going the full 90 minutes, he should be in line to maintain his place in the starting XI versus Augsburg on Sept. 16. On the season, Simakan has racked up 13 tackles (10 won), six clearances and one assist through three matches.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with leg bruise Simakan is currently dealing with bruising to his leg, announced by Leipzig on Tuesday.

Impact Simakan was forced off the pitch in his last match after receiving a very harsh kick to the back of the leg, but he will be happy to learn that the injury is nothing more than bruising. The injury looked much worse when it happened, but the French defender was lucky to avoid any structural damage and only receive a minor knock. Simakan should be ready to return to the pitch after the international break and could get the start in his first game back after starting the first three games of the year.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Limps off Sunday Simakan was forced off with an apparent injury during Sunday's 3-0 win over Union Berlin.

Impact Simakan took a heavy kick to the back of the leg from Kevin Volland, who was shown a straight red card, and had to be helped off. It was a painful looking injury that will certainly see further testing early in the week. Simakan has until Sept. 16 to recover before a clash with Augsburg.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Provides headed assist Simakan had an assist while creating two chances, making four tackles (winning three) and two clearances during Saturday's 3-2 loss to Leverkusen.

Impact Simakan set up Lois Openda in the 71st minute while leading Leipzig with four tackles in the match. The assists matches last season's total for the defender across 24 appearances as Simakan seems set for a major role across Leipzig's backline in the new campaign.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fully fit Simakan (knee) is fully fit and available for Sunday's clash with Leverkusen, Leipzig announced.

Impact Simakan took full part in team training on Friday and is fit and available for Sunday's clash. The defender missed a 3-2 win over Augsburg with the knee injury but could be available once more. Before the injury Simakan had made two starts in his last three, and appearances in his last seven. Manager Marco Rose mentioned that Lukas Klostermann and Simakan are both competing for the same spot in the starting XI.

APRIL 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE