RB Leipzig begin the 2026/27 Bundesliga season on Saturday with a home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach and the debut of head coach Martín Demichelis. The Argentine will take charge of his first competitive match for last season's fourth-placed side after a seven-week preparation period.
Leipzig finished the 2025 campaign with 56 points from 29 games, recording 17 wins, five draws, and seven losses. Their tally of 56 goals scored and 36 conceded gave them a +20 goal difference. The team ended the season 20 points behind champions Bayern Munich. The current injury list includes Assan Ouédraogo, Christoph Baumgartner, and goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, as visible on our injuries page.
Who is RB Leipzig's new head coach?
Martín Demichelis has taken over the managerial role at RB Leipzig. The Argentine said ahead of the match: "I'm looking forward to the first matchday." For the 45-year-old, this is his first match as a head coach in Germany's top flight. He has been shaping the team over the past seven weeks. The squad qualified for the Champions League and awaits possible opponents like Manchester City, Manchester United, or Real Madrid following the recent draw.
What tactical challenge awaits?
Opponents Borussia Mönchengladbach, under coach Eugen Polanski, employ an aggressive, man-oriented defensive system across the entire pitch. This approach is also used by top clubs like Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain and presents a specific tactical challenge for Demichelis and his team. Leipzig must find solutions against this intense pressing strategy. Preparing for such systems was undoubtedly part of the long pre-season.
What role does Christopher Nkunku play?
An important returnee is Christopher Nkunku. The former Bundesliga Player of the Season has rejoined on loan from AC Milan and trained normally during the past week. "Christo was determined to come back to RB Leipzig. He's happy to be back," Demichelis said of the Frenchman. Nkunku is not yet at full match rhythm but can play as a number nine, ten, or out wide. His flexibility gives the coach additional options in attack.
What comes after the season opener?
The first match of the season at the Red Bull Arena is just the beginning. The next fixture follows on September 5th with an away trip to 15th-placed Werder Bremen. You can check the full season schedule on our fixtures page. The team aims to build on last season's performances and continue the strong finish represented by a WWWLW recent form. The current standings and detailed statistics are available on our standings page. The return of Nkunku and the coaching debut of Demichelis make the season opener a special occasion for the club.
