On Matchday 3 of their Champions League run, Leipzig travel to the Bernabeu for a tough test, reuniting with former defender Yan Diomande...
Leipzig head into Matchday 3 at the Bernabeu, where a reunion with Yan Diomande adds extra spice to a daunting Champions League test for Martin Demichelis’ squad.
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Facing off against the Ivorian winger certainly adds an intriguing subplot to Leipzig’s trip to Spain. After all, Diomande lit up the Bundesliga in his only season in Germany to date, registering 12 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances for Die Roten Bullen before earning his high-profile switch to Madrid in the summer.
After a slower start to life at the Bernabéu, Diomande seems to be finding his feet. In his first five outings for Los Blancos, the 19-year-old was limited to cameo appearances from the bench. Now, though, the winger has started four of Madrid’s previous five matches in all competitions, contributing one goal and two assists in that period.
Watch: Diomande’s best moments for Leipzig
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Even though Diomande’s speed, dribbling and directness defined Leipzig’s attack last season, Demichelis might be surprised to see his side scoring more often since the Ivorian left.
Back then Leipzig had gathered 13 points from six Bundesliga games, with four wins, one draw and one loss, netting eight goals while conceding nine.
This season they’ve earned nine points from six matches, yet have struck 16 times and let in 11 goals, showing a sharper edge up front.
The win over PSV gave Demichelis his first Champions League triumph as a coach. – IMAGO/Christian Schroedter
In my view, Nusa and Nkunku have become Leipzig’s lethal duo, combining for 11 goal involvements and driving a more fluid attacking style.
Leipzig’s points dip masks a heavier schedule; Demichelis now balances Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League, unlike Werner’s single‑competition focus last year.
Demichelis arrives in Spain with a perfect record against Real Madrid, having overseen a 2‑1 win on Matchday 30 of the 2025/26 La Liga season.
Watch:Nkunku and Nusa – Leipzig’s deadly double act Can Leipzig’s new attack fire enough to upset Madrid’s dominance?
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The three points may have proved insufficient for Mallorca, who suffered relegation last term, but it was by all accounts an outstanding result built on hard-work, intensity and resilience – traits Demichelis has worked to instil in Leipzig since arriving in the summer.
Indeed, these qualities came to the fore in Leipzig’s recent 1-0 win over Dutch champions PSV on Matchday 2 of the Champions League, which saw his charges bounce back from opening-day disappointment away to Como.
After the victory, Demichelis praised his team’s mentality, saying: “They made life difficult for us. When you can’t play the way you want to, you need passion. The lads fought right until the end. That’s why I’m proud of the team.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming challenge in Madrid, he added: “We’ve got nothing to lose […] and a lot to gain. We’ll try to enjoy [it].”
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Despite the 6-1 setback against Bayern Munich on Matchday 6, Leipzig travel to Madrid with clear ambitions of bouncing back – and with a coach who has already proved he can outmanoeuvre the 15-time European champions from the touchline.
The reunion with Diomande adds emotional weight, but the focus remains on delivering another disciplined, high‑energy performance on the Champions League stage.
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