RBL Leipzig RB Leipzig - BMG M'gladbach M'gladbach

RBL

3

BMG

0

R. Reitz
66'
A. Nusa
49'

R. Baku
26'

Red Bull Arena(Sold out)

Sven Jablonski

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30 %Antonio Nusa

Antonio Nusa

Man of the Match Trophy

0:16

Demichelis: 'A day I won't forget'

0:12

Nkunku: 'Excited to come here'

Full time: Leipzig 3-0 Gladbach

The hosts cruise to a comfortable victory in their first Bundesliga match under Demichelis. Gladbach kept plugging away in the second half, but Leipzig are deserved winners.

© IMAGO/Nordphoto/Trienitz

Full-time

90'

+ 5

Goal disallowed!

Bolin things he's finally found the net, but the goal is chalked off for offside. Still 3-0.

90'

+ 5

SituationGoal

ReviewOffside?

DecisionNo goal

90'

+ 3

Bolin denied

The Foals player shoots straight at Vandevoordt as Gladbach push for a consolation.

90'

+ 1

Five minutes added on

Into stoppage time at the Red Bull Arena.

90'

Heavy landing

Henrichs lands awkwardly on his back following an aerial tussle but - unlike the unfortunate Hashioka - the Leipzig man is fine to carry on.

87'

From one end to the other

Bolin's shot is straight at Vandevoordt, before Nicolas gets the better of Harder in a one-v-one.

86'

Vermeeren into side-netting

The two substitutes combine as Vermeeren turns Harder's outswinging cross just wide of the near post.

84'

Late cameos

Harder and Vermeeren are on for the final few minutes.

83'

Substitution

Ezechiel Banzuzi

83'

Substitution

Arthur Vermeeren

81'

Wayward from Kleindienst

The striker gets on the end of Honorat's cross but fails to direct his header on target.

79'

Close from Scally

The Gladbach substitute drills wide from a tight angle. This is a good spell for the Foals, but it's surely too little, too late.

0:16

Watch: No way past Nicolas!

78'

Orbán thwarts Bolin

Scally's throw-in reaches Nguefack, who feeds Bolin. The Gladbach man shoots first time, but Orbán gets in the way of the effort.

76'

Hashioka departs

Leipzig bring on Bakayoko and Henrichs, while Scally comes on to replace the injured Hashioka. The visitors - to their credit - haven't give up just yet, with Sander heading inches wide from a good position moments after Scally's introduction.

75'

Substitution

73'

Substitution

Benjamin Henrichs

73'

Substitution

72'

First booking

Nusa is cautioned after barging into Hashioka from behind. The Gladbach man is going to need a spot of treatment.

72'

Yellow card

71'

Tough afternoon for Kleindienst

The Gladbach striker has cut an isolated figure at times in this second half as Leipzig have turned the screw.

69'

Long time coming

Reitz registered 45 attempts at goal in the Bundesliga last season - but couldn't find the net with any of them.

Reitz makes it three

Leipzig extend their lead through former Gladbach man Reitz, who runs onto Nkunku's pass before drilling a first-time effort low into the net. Another fine goal - and what a start for Nkunku!

© IMAGO/PICTURE POINT / Sven Sonntag

66'

Rocco Reitz

GOAL!

3:0

Assist:C. Nkunku

Rocco Reitz

Goal probability

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

38 %

Shot speed

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

78.89 km/h

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

12.9 m

65'

Substitution

Christopher Nkunku

65'

Nkunku returns!

Gladbach bring on four pairs of fresh legs, before Nkunku is brought on for his Leipzig comeback in place of Gomis. Can the Frenchman make an instant impact?

64'

Substitution

Mathieu Nguefack

64'

Substitution

64'

Substitution

64'

Substitution

Phenomenal goalkeeping!

This is incredible from Nicolas, who had tipped Reitz's shot out for a corner a few moments earlier. The Gladbach custodian is equal to Nusa's initial effort, before denying both Orbán and Banzuzi from point-blank range.

© IMAGO/HMB Media/Yannis Dreimann

57'

Almost a second for Nusa

The Norway international nearly finds the top corner again with another curling drive from distance, but this time Nicolas manages to parry the ball to safety.

55'

One-way traffic

Gladbach have yet to threaten Vandevoordt since the restart. That Nusa goal appears to have knocked the stuffing out of the Foals, who remain under heavy pressure.

52'

Worth the wait

That was Nusa's first Bundesliga goal at the Red Bull Arena since the opening day of the 2024/25 season, when he found the net against Bochum. His last six top-flight strikes had all come on the road.

What a strike!

Demichelis REALLY enjoyed that one. Nusa collects Gomis' flick before cutting onto his right foot and curling the ball beyond Nicolas and into the top corner. A lovely, lovely goal.

© IMAGO/Michelle Luka

49'

Antonio Nusa

GOAL!

2:0

Assist:T. Gomis

Antonio Nusa

Goal probability

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

8 %

Shot speed

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

90.98 km/h

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

17.16 m

48'

Stöger denies Banzuzi

Raum feeds Banzuzi, who picks out Gruda before getting the ball back from his team-mate. The midfielder lets fly, but Stöger throws himself in the way of the shot.

47'

Wide from Baku

Leipzig have started the second half where they left off in the first. Gruda, Gomis and Reitz combine before teeing up Baku, whose shot drifts wide.

46'

Back under way

The visitors kick off the second half.

Kick-off!

45'

+ 2

HT: Deserved Leipzig lead

xGoals

The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).

xGoals

1

1.66

0.33

0

Goals

Half-time: Leipzig 1-0 Gladbach

Demichelis' team took a while to settle against a confident Foals outfit, but Leipzig have improved as the half has progressed and could be even further ahead at the interval.

© Stuart Franklin

Half-time

45'

+ 1

Into stoppage time

One minute added on at the end of the first half

45'

Kleindienst nods over...

...but the linesman's flag was up anyway.

0:21

42'

Off the woodwork!

Two chances in quick succession for Leipzig. Raum's teasing cross is nodded wide by Gomis, before Orbán flicks another header against the crossbar. Gladbach are living a little dangerously.

Almost a second!

Raum darts down the left-hand side before cutting the ball back for Nusa, whose first-time effort flies inches wide of the post.

© IMAGO/DeFodi.de

36'

Leipzig gaining control

The visitors started brightly at the Red Bull Arena, but Demichelis' charges have created the better opportunities so far and are pushing for a second goal before the interval.

Goal attempts

4off target

2on target

2off target

1on target

34'

Banzuzi goes close again

Nusa whips in a cross from the left, but Banzuzi - who has got himself into some excellent positions in this first half - can't keep his header on target.

31'

Baku blocks Ullrich's effort

Sander, Kleindienst and Hack combine to set up Ullrich, whose shot is deflected over the bar by Leipzig goalscorer Baku. The resulting corner is punched clear by Vandevoordt.

29'

Ball Recovery Time

Ball Recovery Time

Ball Recovery Time gives the time in seconds in which it takes a team to win back the ball following a loss of possession. It also allows conclusions to be drawn about a team's style of play. Only time when the ball is in play is counted (i.e. no breaks in play such as for goal-kicks, throw-ins etc).

RBL

BMG

18.7 s

12.6 s

28'

Home comforts

Four of Baku's five Leipzig goals in the Bundesliga have come at the Red Bull Arena.

Leipzig strike first!

It comes against the run of play, but Leipzig won't care one bit! It's a lovely move from the home side as Baku plays a neat one-two with Gomis before taking a touch and calmly slotting the ball past Nicolas and into the far corner with his left foot. That's his 25th Bundesliga goal.

© IMAGO/Martin Stein

26'

Ridle Baku

GOAL!

1:0

Assist:T. Gomis

Ridle Baku

Goal probability

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

32 %

Shot speed

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

93.82 km/h

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

15.06 m

23'

Chances at a premium

Clear-cut opportunities have been few and far between as we tick past the midway point of the first half.

21'

Off the post!

How did that not go in? Gladbach are inches away from taking the lead in Leipzig, but Vandevoordt tips Bolin's side-footed effort onto the inside of the post before clawing the ball out of harm's way on the goal-line.

18'

Gomis off target

Another effort from the hosts sails wide, but Leipzig are working their way into the game.

16'

First Leipzig chance

Banzuzi tries his luck from the edge of the area after a prolonged spell of Leipzig possession, but the midfielder fails to hit the target. That was much better from the home side, though.

14'

Gladbach shading possession...

...but it remains goalless as we approach the quarter-hour mark.

Passes

84

101

11'

Hack denied

The Gladbach man races clear of the last Leipzig defender and is about to pull the trigger, but Orbán recovers just in time to make a last-ditch challenge on the winger, who was just offside anyway.

9'

Positional switch

Mohya, incidentally, has been given a central role this afternoon, with Bolin playing on the right flank.

Plenty of promise

Mohya fails to pick out a team-mate after a surging run down Gladbach's left-hand side, but Polanski will be very pleased with his team's start to proceedings.

© IMAGO/DeFodi.de

6'

Sander fires over

The Gladbach midfielder lets fly from the corner of the box after a neat passing move involving Hashioka and Raum, but the ball sails high over the crossbar.

3'

Weather playing ball

Glorious sunshine in Leipzig this afternoon. The Foals are seeing plenty of the ball so far, but Hack hands possession back to Leipzig after giving away a free-kick on the edge of the hosts' area.

1'

Off we go!

Leipzig and Gladbach get their campaigns up and running.

Kick-off!

A Bundesliga first

Demichelis, who made 174 top-flight appearances for Bayern as a player, becomes the first permanent Argentine head coach to take charge of a Bundesliga game.

© IMAGO/Paul Fritz

Long-awaited comeback

Foals striker Kleindienst has not started a Bundesliga game since Matchday 33 of the 2024/25 season, but returns to the Gladbach XI this afternoon. The frontman missed almost all of last season with a knee injury.

© IMAGO/Ulrich Hufnagel

0:28

Watch: Reitz prepares to face former club

0:35

Watch: Final prep for Foals

0:22

Watch: Guess who's back!

Fantasy season under way!

Eyeing a fast start in Bundesliga Fantasy Manager? It's not too late to get involved!

© Lukas Schulze/Bundesliga

0:27

Watch: Bundesliga bow for Hashioka

The 27-year-old makes his first start in Germany's top flight, which can mean only one thing - a Starting XI Debut Patch. All players making their first appearance in a Bundesliga starting line-up this season will receive a patch. Watch the video to find out more!

More on that Gladbach team

Polanski makes two alterations to the Foals side that beat Schott Mainz in the DFB Cup. Itakura makes his first start for the club since returning from Ajax, while Kleindienst is also named in the starting XI. Hashioka is handed a first Bundesliga start, with Leszczyński and Lidberg dropping to the bench.

© IMAGO/HMB Media/Yannis Dreimann

More on that Leipzig team

Demichelis makes just one change to the side that started the victory over Eintracht Trier in the DFB Cup last weekend. Former Borussia player Reitz comes into the XI in place of Bakayoko, while Nkunku - who returned to the club last week - is among the substitutes.

© IMAGO/PICTURE POINT / Sven Sonntag

Starting line-up: RB Leipzig

Formation:4-3-3

Leipzig subs

Zingerle, Henrichs, Finkgräfe, Estève, Vermeeren, Maksimović, Nkunku, Bakayoko, Harder

Starting line-up: Borussia Mönchengladbach

Formation:4-2-3-1

Gladbach subs

Batz, Leszczyński, Herold, Scally, Leopold, Honorat, Nguefack, Lidberg, Machino

0:18

Watch: Walking out at the Red Bull Arena

0:23

Watch: Inside the Leipzig changing room

Martín Demichelis on facing Gladbach

"Gladbach have made a major change compared to last season: they now play one-on-one against the ball across the entire pitch. Bayern Munich defend that way too, as do PSG, which is why many head coaches are now adopting this approach. That wasn't the case before. We will need to be prepared for that, as it means that our opposition will close us down immediately and will press us hard. We need to make good decisions and find space. We've shown the players that and we've worked on it in training."

© Christian Kaspar-Bartke

Eugen Polanski on facing Leipzig

"We've created a very good feeling over pre-season, but competitive matches are different from friendlies. We know Saturday will be completely different from the cup game against [Schott] Mainz. Leipzig play in an intense and very attacking way. We need to overcome the obstacles we will surely face there."

© IMAGO/Norbert Jansen / fohlenfoto

Unhappy hunting ground

Gladbach have never beaten Leipzig away from home, losing six and drawing four of their 10 visits to date.

© IMAGO/Sven Sonntag

Last time out - Leipzig

Leipzig also booked their place in the next round as Martín Demichelis' tenure as head coach got off to a winning start against fifth-tier outfit Eintracht Trier. Two quickfire goals from Brajan Gruda and Willi Orbán sent the Saxony club on their way to a 6-0 victory, with Conrad Harder, Antonio Nusa and Ezechiel Banzuzi also on the scoresheet.

© IMAGO/Jan Huebner

Last time out - Gladbach

The Foals showed their clinical edge against Schott Mainz in the DFB Cup, beating the fifth-tier side 5-0 to advance into the second round. Hugo Bolin struck a brace and Daiki Hashioka scored on his competitive debut, before goals from Lukas Ullrich and talented youngster Wael Mohya (l.) completed the rout.

© IMAGO/Stephan Hahne

2:03

Watch: Leipzig 1-0 Gladbach - previous meeting

Yan Diomande's 11th Bundesliga strike of 2025/26 proved the difference as Leipzig secured a narrow victory over their opponents.

Leipzig with the edge

These two teams have met 20 times in the Bundesliga, with Leipzig winning 11 of those meetings. Gladbach have won just four.

© IMAGO/Norbert Jansen / fohlenfoto

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 1 fixture between RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach.