Emphatic victory, statement, declaration of intent – they could be many descriptions for the Leipzig performance last Saturday night. The RB performance was definitely impressive in the top match. The team from Saxony beat Schalke 04 5-0 away and thus made it clear: You have to take us into account again. After a brief dip at the start of the year where the team top of the winter break surrendered the lead and soon after were knocked out of the DFB Cup in a 3-1 defeat away to Eintracht Frankfurt, RB have been as impressive in recent games as they were for large parts of the first half of the season.
The Leipzig team have been particularly impressive over the past week. Away to Tottenham Hotspur, last year's finalists now coached by José Mourinho, Julian Nagelsmann's team deservedly won 1-0 to put themselves in an excellent position to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in the club's history. A performance that demonstrates: Leipzig are not only a top team in the Bundesliga but also one of the top sides in Europe. After the outstanding display at Schalke, at the latest, it is also clear: This top team are definitely in top form ahead of the game against Bayer 04.
Leipzig further strengthened their already high-quality squad in the winter break – with the introduction of two Spaniards. The technically gifted Dani Olmo was brought in from Dinamo Zagreb and left back Angelino joined on loan from Manchester City. The latter slotted in straightaway as an attacking full-back and after only four appearances he is now a regular in the starting eleven with his first Bundesliga goal scored at Schalke. "He brings is even more options," said RB sporting director Marcus Krösche who was assistant coach at the Werkself in 2015 to 2017.
In the convincing victory in Gelsenkirchen, one player in particular stood out – although he didn't score any of the five goals. But Christopher Nkunku did set up four and he is gradually appearing centre stage in an attack that includes stars like Timo Werner and Marcel Sabitzer. Nkunku has provided a total of 13 assists in the Bundesliga; only Jadon Sancho and Thomas Müller have more to their credit. Indeed, Nkunku is also capable of scoring: The Frenchman at RB secured a draw in the top game against Borussia Mönchengladbach three weeks ago with a long-range piledriver in the final minute and he also scored a wonderful goal in the game at Leverkusen earlier in the season. Bayer 04 will have to keep an eye on the 22-year-old – but in which position? Nkunku can play anywhere in the forward line and, in addition to variability, he also provides a certain amount of unpredictability in the RB attack.
There is currently a lack of cover in central defence. The RB captain Willi Orban and Ibrahima Konaté are both long-term injuries. The positions in the back three alongside the first choice Dayot Upamecano are filled by the full backs Marcel Halstenberg and Lukas Klostermann. Nevertheless: Leipzig have kept clean sheets in the last four matches with this improvised solution and that includes games against top teams like FC Bayern and Tottenham Hotspur. As one of the back-ups, Stefan Ilsankar, joined Eintracht Frankfurt in the winter break, the RB defence cannot afford to lose anyone else until the return of Konaté.
Leipzig not only have one of the best but also youngest squads in the Bundesliga. In the first half of the season, Nagelsmann fielded the youngest starting eleven in the league this season and in the win at Schalke only the goalkeeper Peter Gulasci (29) and the defender Halstenberg (28) were older than 25. The RB Leipzig concept is one with structure – and one with a rosy future. If the many young and talented players develop as expected then this team – with the equally young coach – is certainly capable of achieving a lot.
Two attack-minded and on-form teams meet: The game between Leipzig and Bayer 04 could be spectacular and will definitely have an effect on the table. Regardless of the result of the game on Sunday, RB Leipzig can certainly finish right at the top of the end of the season.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 0-2 loss at 1. FC Nürnberg on Matchday 8 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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After nine points from their first three away matches of the 2026/27 season, the Bayer 04 Women suffered their first away defeat on Sunday afternoon. The 2-0 defeat away to FC Nürnberg, who were winless before today, represented a setback for coach Roberto Pätzold’s team in the race for the top spots in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. Fany Pronietz scored both goals (62’, 85’) for the home side.
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The Werkself still have a score to settle with TSG Hoffenheim: Bayer 04 lost both matches against the Kraichgau side last term – after the Black and Reds had won all the previous five encounters. Leverkusen are currently on a roll and looking to kick off a new winning streak against TSG in Sinsheim on Sunday 25 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), and Patrik Schick is keen to continue his current run of form. However, it will not be easy, as coach Christian Ilzer’s team have also gained confidence recently. Today’s matchday news.
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A look at the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga table ahead of the Werkself's clash at 1. FC Nürnberg leaves little discussion: Bayer 04 Women go into Sunday's meeting at the Max-Morlock-Stadion (16:00 CEST) as clear favourites. Coach Roberto Pätzold explains what's needed for the fourth-placed team against the second-from-bottom in order to make it four wins from four away matches this season.
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Following the start of construction on the Talent House in mid-August, an important staffing decision has been made: Michelle Böhmke will join the project team on 1 January 2027 and take over as director when the centre opens, which is planned for summer 2027. The 36-year-old former SGS Essen player previously worked, amongst other roles, as educational director and academy school head at Hertha Berlin.
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