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.
A disciplined defensive performance in the second leg saw Bayer 04 prevail against Olympiacos in the play-offs of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26. Thanks to the 2-0 away win in the first leg, the goalless draw at home at the BayArena was enough to ensure progress to the next round. The Black and Reds kept their opponents away from their goal for the best part of 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 can go through to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the ninth time tonight, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET) and be in the top 16 clubs in Europe. A good omen: Leverkusen have progressed to the next round after winning the first leg in 20 of their 22 knockout rounds in European competitions to date. For their part, Greek record champions Olympiacos rested several players for last weekend’s league fixture ahead of the play-off second leg at the BayArena and will now do everything in their power to turn the tide with their usual aggressive and high pressing. The discussions on Werkself radio are likely to be just as intense as the battle on the pitch, with commentator Florian Bechholz welcoming honorary captain Stefan Kießling and goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Today’s matchday news.
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With the advantage of the 2-0 first-leg win in the play-offs, the Werkself are looking to book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the home game against Olympiacos on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Janis Blaswich spoke about the position ahead of the match, the visitors' strength at set-pieces and a personnel issue for the home side.
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With a win in the Greek Super League last weekend, Olympiacos achieved success on the pitch ahead of the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg at Bayer 04 on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Coach José Luis Mendilibar rested many of his regular starters.
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