Martín Demichelis is set for his first Bundesliga match as head coach of RB Leipzig. The Red Bulls will host Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon to kick off the 2026/27 season. The Argentine manager has prepared his team during a seven-week pre-season for the campaign opener. RB Leipzig enters the match sitting third in the table with three points from one win, having scored three goals and conceded none so far.
How is Demichelis preparing for his debut?
Martín Demichelis will be in the dugout for a Bundesliga match for the first time in his career. The preparation period lasted seven weeks, allowing the coach to implement his ideas and shape the squad. "I will try to enjoy it, but the three points are the most important thing," Demichelis said. The real test for the new-look side begins now. The team has already shown a strong start by scoring three goals and keeping a clean sheet on the opening matchday.
What role does Christopher Nkunku play?
A special focus is on Christopher Nkunku, who has rejoined RB Leipzig on loan from AC Milan. The attacking player trained normally during the past week but stated he is not yet at full match rhythm. "He's happy to be back." Nkunku was quoted as saying. His return adds another layer to the highly anticipated opening day. Nkunku can operate in multiple positions, including as a number nine, number ten, or out wide. His versatility bolsters Leipzig's attacking options, which were strengthened during the summer.
What awaits RB Leipzig this season?
Beyond the league start, the club has also learned about its Champions League opponents, which may include the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. This European competition adds another level of excitement and difficulty to the season. The current league standing and upcoming challenges can be tracked on our standings page. Furthermore, the squad will be without Christoph Baumgartner for now, who is currently sidelined. Squad details and further personnel information are available on the squad page.
How is Gladbach set up under Gerardo Seoane?
The opponent from Mönchengladbach presents a particular challenge under manager Gerardo Seoane. Gladbach employs a much more aggressive, man-oriented defensive system across the entire pitch. A similarly aggressive style is also used by Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. This demands high mobility and quick combination play from Leipzig's attack. Leipzig's defense, which has yet to concede a goal, will face a stern test.
Demichelis's first match is the beginning of a long journey. The next task awaits on September 5th with an away fixture against Werder Bremen, who currently sit 15th in the table. All upcoming fixtures are listed in our fixtures calendar. The team has done its homework, and now it's time to execute on the pitch.
