Berlin is still a long way away. The first step for RBL leads to the banks of the Moselle. On Saturday (18:00 CEST), RB Leipzig will face off against Eintracht Trier in the first competitive fixture of the 2026/27 season. For the Red Bulls, it will be the start of a tournament that has produced a number of stories that will never be forgotten in Leipzig.
On the other hand, our hosts also know exactly what a fairytale run in the cup feels like.
Here are five things you need to know ahead of our encounter with Eintracht Trier.
We can't wait for the next DFB-Pokal campaign! After all, the past few years have shown that RBL and the DFB-Pokal are a match made in heaven.
Over eight seasons, the Red Bulls have reached the quarter-finals on six occasions. The journey has continued all the way to Berlin four times, and RBL lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2023.

#trier #first #know #saturday

On Saturday, Rocco Reitz was rewarded for his hard work in pre-season. In the 58th minute of the Telekom-Cup, our summer signing was brought on for Nicolas Seiwald and played his first half an hour in an RBL jersey.
Rocco's debut was a highlight of the match which ultimately ended in a 3-1 defeat for the Red Bulls. "I was really happy to be back on the pitch and doing what I love," said the 24-year-old after the final whistle in an interview with MagentaTV.
The midfielder who joined Leipzig from Borussia Mönchengladbach had a delayed start to his first pre-season at RBL due to an illness. In the past few weeks, he's been gradually making up ground. His cameo against Bayern was his first real test. "The half an hour was quite a challenge, it went back and forth a lot," explained Rocco, before adding, "It's always good to go toe-to-toe with the best in the business."
Our number 20 has seen a lot of progress with a week to go before the start of the season, but also recognised that there is room for improvement. "We did a lot of things better compared to the previous friendlies. We were calm in possession and our gegenpressing was a bit better. There are still a couple of areas where we can improve, like our decision making among other things. But we're on the right track."
This Saturday, the first competitive fixture of the new season is on the agenda for Leipzig. At 18:00 CEST, RBL will travel to take on Regionalliga outfit Eintracht Trier in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. Unlike the match on Saturday, the Red Bulls are heading into the cup clash as clear favourites. Rocco called for "grit" in the match and stressed that, "We're the better side and have to make that clear in the game."

#match #we 're

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

RB Leipzig midfielder ***** an Ouédraogo has suffered a capsular injury to his right shoulder and will be sidelined "for a few weeks," the Bundesliga club said in a statement on Saturday.
The Germany international sustained the injury after a tackle during the team's pre-season training camp in Austria.
"Following a thorough examination and careful consideration of the results, the decision has been made to treat the injury conservatively," the club said.
Ouédraogo was part of Germany's World Cup squad at the recent World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. He was called up after Bayern Munich's Lennart Karl suffered an injury.
Leipzig have a friendly match against Bayern on August 15 before the first official game of the season, a German Cup clash against Eintracht Trier on August 22.

#leipzig

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

LOCAL LINKS
Steve Balestrieri’s Sunday Patriots News: Examining critical positional needs before training camp.
Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Predicting the next Ninkovich and why these Pats have chance to surprise, Mike Vrabel’s weekend, update on rookie OLB Quintayvious Hutchins; More.
Mark Morse’s Patriots position breakdown, QBs and Tight Ends. Drake Maye’s expected leap; More.
Jordy McElroy’s training camp preview: Where New England stands at Tight end and Running back.

LOCAL LINKS
Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Will Christian Gonzalez’s extension get done before camp? Plus: Scotland calling, A.J. Brown **** ytics, More.
Steve Balestrieri’s Sunday Patriots News: Offseason deep dive, player spotlights, Romeo Doubs the X-Factor? Plus, comments on the CBS Sports piece that list the Pats having the 3rd-worst offseason; More.
Ethan Hurwitz identifies some burning questions ahead of training camp that the Patriots must answer. 1. What’s up with Gabe Jacas?
Khari Thompson‘s Patriots 2026 position preview: Wide receivers edition.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to prioritise player welfare and ensure centrally contracted cricketers get at least one month of uninterrupted rest every year.

His comments come after India completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep over Afghanistan, shortly after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.

Gavaskar acknowledged the role the BCCI has played in supporting developing cricket nations such as Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka through bilateral series. However, he said the health and fitness of Indian players should remain a priority despite a busy cricket calendar.

Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar said: "Yes, BCCI is like the elder brother to countries like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka, and have always tried to help them grow on the field and boost their finances by touring these countries. However, our cricketers’ health and fitness are also crucial and there should be a clear month’s rest for our players in the year. India is blessed with talent and so you can rotate the players but that is cheapening the India cap. The cap mustn’t be given because a player replaces the undroppable player who is rested. It has to be earned."

The former opener also questioned the growing practice of resting senior players because of workload management. According to Gavaskar, India should field its strongest available side whenever possible.

He pointed to India's recent Test against Afghanistan, where Shubman Gill and KL Rahul scored centuries.

“In the Test against Afghanistan who have been honest triers but nothing more, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul scored centuries, and Manav Suthar made an impressive debut. Jasprit ***** rah was rested but wouldn’t he have liked to have added a fifer or a tenfer to his career record against this team. When India is playing, then the best team must play, unless there are injuries of course. But this resting because of workload must be avoided as much as possible. Have a look at the calendar and you will see that India is playing every month somewhere or the other."

Gavaskar clarified that he supports more opportunities for younger players through India A and Under-19 cricket, but believes senior players should get a proper break from the game.

“Yes, by all means have ‘A’ team and U-19 matches so that young players get the opportunity and the experience, but please spare our elite players and ensure they as a team and not just as individuals get at least a month’s break in the year."

He added that the current schedule cannot be changed but suggested future planning should include a mandatory break for players and even fans.

“This year’s schedule is already done and nothing can be changed but since the thinking is to have the IPL start and finish early next year is there, then please add a month’s rest to not just the players but the fans of Indian cricket."

India's next ***** ignment is a

As the man who had condemned him to his first bruising grand slam final loss watched from the stands, Alexander Zverev finally overcame his demons, and the spirited but inexperienced Flavio Cobolli, to claim a first major ***** le, winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 at Roland Garros.
Dominic Thiem was responsible for his five-set loss in the US Open showpiece six years ago and the scar tissue from that defeat, and two more since in slam finals, has haunted Zverev, the 2020 Olympic champion and often dubbed the best male player to have never won a slam.
He was the overwhelming favourite for the ***** le in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz and after the exits of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, against the world No 14 Cobolli, the only top-25 player he has faced all fortnight and a debutant on this stage.
Those demons were evident in a nervy and generally low-quality showing on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday, but Zverev ultimately managed to conquer his own mind and break Cobolli’s resistance – with a significant helping hand from Cobolli himself in a four-and-a-quarter-hour final decided more on errors and wobbles than anything else. It was a final which if Zverev had not won would suggest that he never would.
The 29-year-old said: “This court is so special to me in so many ways. I have had the best moments of my life in this court and I have had the worst moment of my life on this court.

Alexander Zverev claimed his first Grand Slam ***** le with a five-set win over Flavio Cobolli in the French Open final, taking the match 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1.
It was a moment years in the making for Zverev, who finally broke through to lift his first major trophy. He did it in typical fashion, too, grinding out a tough five-setter against Cobolli on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Following the win, he was congratulated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who shared a message on X. “What an extraordinary success!” Merz said (translated from German).
“Heartfelt congratulations on the fantastic victory at the French Open and your first Grand Slam ***** le, Alexander Zverev. This powerful performance thrills an entire nation.”
Zverev’s win marked a 30-year wait since a German man last won a major singles ***** le. Boris Becker was the previous champion, having won the 1996 Australian Open. Zverev had been carrying those expectations for years and had come close several times before breaking through in Paris.

As Alexander Zverev stood at the microphone after his straightforward quarter-final win over Rafael Jodar, the German’s words were interrupted by a sudden and violent hailstorm hammering down on the Court Philippe-Chatrier roof. Spring showers had dampened Roland-Garros all week but this was different, a biblical downpour disrupting his victory lap. For many observers it was the sort of thing that was too on-the-nose to be scripted, the heavens opening in disapproval of one of the most controversial players on the tour.
Two things can be true at once: Zverev, a three-time slam finalist and the prohibitive favourite to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires on Sunday, is the most complete player left in this draw and the best player of the last decade or more to have never won a major. But his presence on the tour, and at the business end of tournaments, makes a significant section of tennis observers distinctly uncomfortable – including some fans watching courtside, as a heckler at the 2025 Australian Open final made clear.
In October 2023 the German was issued with a penalty order and fined almost £400,000 for committing bodily harm against a previous girlfriend and the mother of his daughter, Brenda Patea, after she accused him of strangling her. Under German law, a penalty order is issued by a public prosecutor’s office when a trial is considered to be unnecessary, for example, in situations where there is compelling evidence to support one side.
He continued to play on the tour while legal proceedings rumbled on, while the ATP came under fire when he was appointed to the Players Advisory Council in January 2024, and Netflix was accused of helping to launder his reputation with a feature on the documentary Break Point which skirted the allegations that same month.
Zverev eventually reached out-of-court settlement with Patea in June 2024, during the French Open. The settlement meant legal proceedings were discontinued without a finding or admission of guilt, and Zverev, who described the allegations as “bullshit”, has repeatedly and strenuously denied them. Before the settlement the prospect of a trial hung over that year’s Roland-Garros, with the decision coming before Zverev played in the semi-finals.

June 6 (UPI) -- Mirra Andreeva morphed Roland Garros' red brick dust into quicksand for a drained Maja Chwalinska en route to a straight-sets victory in Saturday's 2026 French Open women's singles final.
The 6-3, 6-2 triumph gave the No. 8 Russian her first Grand Slam ****** le in her maiden major final appearance. Andreeva clinched the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen and a $3.2 million first-place prize with a backhand winner into the right corner of Court Philippe-Chatrier.
"I've been watching Roland Garros on TV since I was very, very young," Andreeva said on the TNT broadcast. "It was a big dream of mine to win this tournament.I honestly can't believe I'm holding this trophy right now."
Andreeva, 19, edged her 24-year-old Polish foe 25-10 in winners and converted 7 of 12 break point opportunities in the 88-minute match. She became the 12th teenager to win the women's singles ****** le in Paris. Andreeva dropped just one set through her seven matches at Roland Garros.
She praised her team for their efforts and called Chwalinska "a tricky opponent." Andreeva, who spent eight hours and 14 minutes on the courts at the French Open entering Saturday, appeared more energetic from start to finish in the finale.

Maja Chwalinska made French Open history on Thursday as the world number 114 became the first qualifier in the professional era to reach the Roland Garros final, where she will take on Mirra Andreeva.
The Pole downed Diana Shnaider 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in the last four to join Russian 19-year-old Andreeva, a straight-sets winner over Marta Kostyuk, in Saturday's **** le-decider.
Should she best Andreeva in the final, Chwalinska will become just the second woman to come through qualifying and win a Grand Slam final in any major since the Open era began, after Emma Raducanu's **** le run at the US Open in 2021.
The 24-year-old said her run in the French capital was "like a dream", moments after beating 25th seed Shnaider, who a day before eliminated world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
"I don't know what's going on, I just, I dunno what to say. I'm sorry, I'm just very happy," she added to raucous applause on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Jakub Mensik reached the first Grand Slam semi-final of his career after beating Joao Fonseca at Roland Garros.
The 20-year-old also passed Ivan Lendl as the youngest Czech man in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam singles semi-final. Mensik beat Fonseca 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) on Court Philippe Chatrier to continue his breakthrough run in Paris.
The Czech player had to hold off a late push from Fonseca, who saved match points in the third set before Mensik closed out the tie break.
It secured Mensik’s place in the last four of a major for the first time and added another major milestone to what has become the biggest tournament of his young career.
Mensik’s reaction after match point reflected the scale of the occasion. After sealing victory, he pointed towards himself in celebration as he took in the moment on one of the biggest courts in tennis.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka praised the support of the crowd - and even moonwalked on court - after beating Naomi Osaka in straight sets to advance to her fourth consecutive French Open quarter-final.
The 28-year-old was playing in the first women's singles match to be held in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier since 2023 - and only the fifth since one-match night sessions were introduced in 2021 - and was jokingly disappointed to see off the 16th seed in an hour and 26 minutes, telling the crowd she wanted to "keep going".
However, in a meeting between two of the heaviest baseline hitters in the women's game, Sabalenka's accuracy on serve and delicate drop shots proved the difference as she came through 7-5 6-3 to beat Osaka for the third time in the past three months.
Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Sabalenka, the only player with experience of playing in a major final left in the women's draw, will face 25th seed Diana Shnaider in the last eight as she continues her bid for a maiden French Open ******* le.
"It is amazing to play in the night session. I really want to keep going. Thank you for bringing such an amazing atmosphere. You guys make this place special," Sabalenka told the crowd.