In his first UEFA Champions League test as new coach, Martin Demichelis and RB Leipzig travel to Lombardy, taking on competition debutantes FC Como 1907 at 21:00 CET tonight.
With around an hour to go before kickoff, the confirmed FC Como 1907 vs. RB Leipzig lineups have been announced – and you can find the official starting XIs below.
FC Como 1907 starting XI (4-2-3-1):
Butez – Couto, Chalobah, Ramón, Valle – Milla, Da Cunha – Baturina, Paz, Diao – Douvikas
RB Leipzig starting XI (4-3-3):

#uefa #demichelis #butez

RB Leipzig will get their 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign underway at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday (15:30 CEST). Not only will it be head coach Martín Demichelis' touchline debut in the Bundesliga, but the afternoon could also feature newly-returned striker Christopher Nkunku's first appearance in three years for RB Leipzig.
What insights does Micho have into our upcoming opponents? Which players are available? Read on for all the key quotes from today's pre-match press conference.
Team news
"I'm looking forward to the first matchday. It's not often the case that an Argentine is set to head into a Bundesliga season as head coach. I will try to enjoy it, but the three points are the most important thing. The team have worked hard for seven long weeks and have improved week by week. We're ready."
"Gladbach have made a major change compared to last season: they now play one-on-one against the ball across the entire pitch. Bayern München defend that was too, as do PSG, which is why many head coaches are now adopting this approach. That wasn't the case before. We will need to be prepared for that, as it means that our opposition will close us down immediately and will press us hard. We need to make good decisions and find ******* e. We've shown the players that and we've worked on it in training."

#leipzig #we 've #three

RB Leipzig have officially submitted a bid worth €35m plus add-ons for 21-year-old Belgian forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, according to Fabrizio Romano.Fernandez-Pardo can play as a center forward or as a winger on either side. He joined Lille from Gent in 2024 and has made 51 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing eight ****** ists. He has also represented the Belgium national team, making five appearances for The Red Devils after passing through the youth teams. Previously, the player had notified his club Lille that he wants to leave, but he was told that he won't be allowed to depart this summer unless a hefty offer is received.GGFN | Brook Genene
RB Leipzig seem to be strengthening their forward line, with Christopher Nkunku also set to return to the Bundesliga on loan with an option to buy. Leipzig sold 19-year-old talented winger Yan Diomande to Real Madrid for €125 m and are building their attack wisely following the mega deal. They will be hoping these possible additions, together with new head coach Martín Demichelis, will enable them to challenge for a top-four finish.

#pardo #year #winger #matias

RB Leipzig travel to Regionalliga side Eintracht Trier in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. Martin Demichelis saw his side finish the pre-season with a defeat at his former club FC Bayern Munich last week.
The Argentine's first lineup includes no new signings, as Maxim Esteve is out with thigh problems, while Rocco Reitz only joined pre-season training late. Tidiam Gomis replaces the injured Romulo as Conrad Harder starts on the bench in what could be his last appearance in Leipzig colors.
Trier: Wechsel; Held, Spang ©, Pelzer, Dittrich; Wähling, Kritzer, Rahn, Singer, Gaida; Sausen
Leipzig: Vandevoordt; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum ©; Seiwald; Gruda, Banzuzi; Bakayoko, Gomis, Nusa

#trier

RB Leipzig fought off competition to sign Burnley's Maxime Estéve for €25m in July, and now the French defender is already impressing at his new employers.
Playing in an unfamiliar position, the left-footed centre-back has played on the right side of a back three in his three pre-season friendlies, but it's not a cause for concern. "This is completely new to me, but I have no problem with it," the Frenchman told Bild.
As such, head coach Martín Demichelis is reportedly thinking about including the 24-year-old on his team council for 2026/27. Upon his unveiling, sporting director Marcel Schäfer described his new defensive stalwart as a "natural leader."
Seemingly settling in with ease, Estéve added: "I feel like I've been here longer. I already know some of the players, but I'm trying to integrate even more. I want to be close to all the players because at centre-back, I have to talk a lot and be loud on the pitch."
Leipzig begin their campaign at Eintracht Trier in the DFB Pokal first round before hosting Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga a week later.

#back #centre #july #french

Less than 24 hours after the sensational failure of the Fisnik Asllani transfer, Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig had more bad news to report. **** an Ouédraogo has suffered yet another injury setback and now risks missing the beginning of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Leipzig confirmed on Saturday that the 20-year-old sustained a capsule injury in his right shoulder during the club's summer training camp in Saalfelden, Austria.
There is at least some positive news. Following detailed examinations, RB have elected to treat the injury conservatively and Ouédraogo will not require surgery. The German international is nevertheless expected to remain sidelined for "a few weeks". The timeframe still places his availability for the beginning of new head coach Martin Demichelis' first competitive campaign in doubt.
Leipzig travel to Eintracht Trier in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 22 before opening their Bundesliga season against Borussia Mönchengladbach one week later. For Ouédraogo, the latest setback represents another frustrating interruption to a career that has repeatedly gathered spectacular momentum only for injuries to intervene.
The former Schalke academy talent endured an injury-plagued first season after joining Leipzig in 2024, missing substantial time with knee and complicated thigh problems. Even his place in Leipzig's plans appeared uncertain entering last season. Ouédraogo nevertheless quickly changed the conversation. After establishing himself under then-head coach Ole Werner, the midfielder earned his first Germany U21 call-up in October. Get German Football News documented Ouédraogo's rapid progression from an uncertain Leipzig squad role to German youth international.
The Mülheim native subsequently forced his way into Werner's starting XI and developed into one of Leipzig's most exciting players. His performances eventually earned him an unexpected promotion to Julian Nagelsmann's senior German national team. Following an injury to Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri, Ouédraogo received his first senior Germany call-up in November.

#injury #first #season #following

Rômulo scored nine goals and provided four ****** ists in 30 Bundesliga appearances in his maiden campaign for RB Leipzig, helping the Saxony club secure a place in this season's UEFA Champions League.
And now, speaking during his team's training camp in Saalfelden, the Brazilian has expressed his excitement at the upcoming season and his desire to remain at Leipzig.
"I'm happy here and I've now adapted to the league and the club," he explained. "I want to stay here for as long as possible and play for Leipzig in the Bundesliga and the Champions League." The latter of which "is every footballer's dream."
Martín Demichelis replaced Ole Werner this summer, but Rômulo relishes playing under the Argentine coach. "It's a different style [of football]," he said.
"Micho wants us to have more possession and greater control. I need to control the ball well and hold it up, help the team, link the play and create chances."

#leipzig

AZ Alkmaar’s Sven Mijnans (26) is coming off his best season yet having struck 21 goals and created a further nine in 50 games across all competitions, which has attracted interest from Bundesliga trio RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.
However, contrary to Dutch reports, no offer has, of yet, been rejected. The 26-year-old has a reported €15m release clause for foreign clubs, but PSV Eindhoven, who have a significant influx of money following Ismael Saibari’s departure to Bayern Munich for €50m, are also interested.
When it comes to Leipzig’s interest in Mijnans, Philipp Hinze adds that new head coach Martin Demichelis is heavily involved in squad planning as they prepare for the 2026/27 campaign. In addition to Mijnans, Leipzig also want to bring Brajam Gruda back to the club, but would rather re-sign the German youth international on loan with an obligation to buy.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder

After being appointed as RB Leipzig’s successor to Ole Werner as head coach a week ago, Martin Demichelis officially began his work at his new club on Monday.
In an interview with Bild, RB Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer spoke in detail about the appointment and outlined what he expects the former Argentina international to bring to the team.
“We want to win matches. That comes through a tactical component, a physical component. And there is also this enthusiasm, this fire, this passion. Martin combines all of that. He has experienced a lot in his career, has played under many coaches at the highest level. And he has taken something from all of them. He knows pressure situations, when you have to deliver,” Schäfer said.
“His basic style of football stands for incredibly high intensity, high pressing and winning the ball back early. He wants to play forward immediately after regaining possession. An ‘attack mode’ style of football. That is something that convinced us in the discussions, the ******* ysis and the observations.”
Demichelis arrives after a short spell as head coach of RCD Mallorca, where he was unable to prevent relegation despite winning five and drawing three of his 12 matches in charge.

After guiding RB Leipzig back to the Champions League with a third-place finish in his first season in charge, Ole Werner was somewhat surprisingly dismissed as head coach and replaced by Martín Demichelis.
In an interview with Bild, RB Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer has now spoken about the sacking, admitting it was far from handled optimally.
“The past few weeks – and we have to be self-critical here – were anything but optimal, simply bad. Period,” Schäfer said.
The 42-year-old explained that a “long and confidential conversation” took place before Werner went on holiday, which was meant to be continued afterwards. However, that did not happen, and reports of the coach’s impending dismissal began to emerge during his vacation.
“That in between, so much of what happened ended up in the public domain for various reasons, was absolutely undignified towards both the person and the coach Ole Werner. I'm truly very sorry about that. No question,” Schäfer said.

By Ben McFadyean.
After dismissing Ole Werner on Wednesday, two-time DFB Pokal winners RB Leipzig have now picked Martín Demichelis to succeed the former Werder Bremen manager. Demichelis, who last managed at Real Mallorca, has been appointed on a two-year contract. A release clause fee of €2.5m has reportedly been paid to the Spanish island club, according to Bild.
The appointment was warmly welcomed by the club's managing director, Marcel Schaefer, who commented: "Martin is a great manager, he brings a high level of competence with a system which combines intense football and a clear line on the type of play he wants to play."
The former Atletico Madrid manager underlined his motivation for making the switch to the German club: "I want to create a side that plays bold, intense and exciting football."
The Argentine also emphasised his attraction to working in the Bundesliga: "Testing ourselves against Europe's best is also an incredible challenge for me".

Jürgen Klopp addresses RB Leipzig’s decision to part ways with Ole Werner while he was working as World Cup pundit for Magenta TV. The Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull was believed to lead the group that demands a new direction for the Bundesliga club.
“We are acting in an advisory capacity as the Global Team,” Klopp explained the role he and his team played at RB Leipzig. “But we were involved in the decision-making process and ***** yzed the season. Ole (Werner) did a fantastic job. We qualified for the Champions League.
“But we also have to look forward at the same time. And when we thought about what that might look like, they decided on a change.”
RB Leipzig are expected to replace Werner with RCD Mallorca’s Martin Demichelis. Klopp opted to not confirm anything on the potential successor. "I'm not involved in speculation now. Everything that can be said will come from Leipzig," the 59-year-old said.
After thanking Werner and his team, Leipzig's sports managing director Marcel Schäfer gave a similar explanation in the club’s official communication after the news. "We have ***** yzed the past season intensively. And, on Tuesday evening, we decided to change the head coach. We have come to the conclusion that a different approach is necessary for the tasks ahead.”