Can Leipzig ever match Madrid’s class? Martin Demichelis’s side was thrashed 4-1 by the Spanish giants in a Champions League away loss.
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Real Madrid 4-1 RB Leipzig
Goals: 1-0 Silva 44′, 2-0 Güler 52′ (assist: Mbappé), 3-0 Mbappé 83′ (assist: Diomande), 3-1 Gomis 85′ (assist: Baumgartner), 4-1 Diomande 87′ (assist: Díaz)
With an eye on next weekend’s league meeting with Barcelona, José Mourinho made wholesale changes to his Real Madrid side that had beaten Sevilla last time out, bringing Antonio Rüdiger, Álvaro Carreras, Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo Silva and Vinícius Júnior into the starting line-up.
Demichelis, meanwhile, made three alterations to his Leipzig side that had been beaten 6-1 by Bayern Munich on Matchday 6. Ridle Baku, Nicolas Seiwald and Rômulo all came in, whilst Christoph Baumgartner returned to the matchday squad for the first time in four months after recovering from a long-term injury.
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Christoph Baumgartner made his first appearance in four months off the bench for Leipzig, and even provided the assist for Gomis’ goal. – IMAGO/Gokhan Taner/PS Images –>
Leipzig tried to set the tone, pressing high and holding their own for stretches early on. Yet Madrid’s attacks lacked bite for most of the first half.
Mbappé burst forward at 22 minutes, unleashing a low strike that rattled the net. Nine minutes later Vinícius forced Vandevoordt into a fine save, and Bellingham’s effort from the box rim went wide.
Nkunku found space and fired, only to be denied by Courtois. In my view, Leipzig blew a rare chance to lead.
Just three minutes later Madrid responded. Arda Güler’s low effort was saved by Vandevoordt, but Silva pounced on the rebound to make it 1‑0 before the break.
Silva celebrates after scoring Real’s opening goal before halftime. – IMAGO/Oscar J. Barroso
After the break Madrid kept the pressure, extending the lead at 52 minutes. A cross from Bellingham found Mbappé at the far post, whose header was nudged home by Güler.
Mourinho introduced Marc Cucurella and former Leipzig winger Yan Diomande at the 70-minute mark, while Demichelis brought on Tidiam Gomis and Baumgartner shortly after, sparking a frantic finish with a flurry of late goals.
Güler celebrates with teammates after his second goal for Real. – IMAGO/Alejandro Matias Acosta
Leipzig’s next Champions League test comes on 4 November at home to Manchester City. Sitting outside the play‑off spots with three points from three games, can they turn the tide?