Four matches into Martín Demichelis’ tenure, RB Leipzig are already showing two very different faces depending on where they play.
At the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig have won both of their Bundesliga home matches by an aggregate score of 8–0. Away from home, however, they have lost 3–1 to Werder Bremen, 2–0 to Bayer Leverkusen and 4–1 to Como in the Champions League.
Demichelis’ preferred system became clearer during pre-season and was firmly established in Leipzig’s 6–0 DFB-Pokal victory over Trier. The Argentine initially settled on a 4-3-3, with Nicolas Seiwald operating as the holding midfielder while Banzuzi and Brajan Gruda advanced from midfield to attack central spaces behind high-positioned full-backs. The structure was designed to support an aggressive counter-press and create immediate attacks after turnovers.
The coach has already shown a willingness to adjust that shape. Against Como in the Champions League, Leipzig used a more attacking 4-2-3-1, with Seiwald and El Aynaoui forming a double pivot, Christopher Nkunku playing behind the striker and Marc Guiu leading the line. Demichelis returned to a 4-3-3 for the following Bundesliga match before switching back to a 4-2-3-1 at Leverkusen.
That tactical flexibility has not yet solved Leipzig’s away problems. At Leverkusen, Banzuzi was used in a deeper midfield role alongside El Aynaoui rather than as the advanced No. 8 seen during pre-season. The change gave him more conventional defensive responsibilities, but Leipzig struggled to reproduce the intensity and territorial control they have shown at home.
Leipzig are also adapting after the departure of winger Yan Diomandé, who joined Real Madrid in August. The deal included an initial fee of about €125 million and could rise to €140 million with performance-related bonuses, making it one of the most significant sales in the German club’s history.
The club’s ability to develop and sell elite talent has been central to its rise since being founded in 2009. Leipzig climbed from Germany’s fifth tier to the Champions League semi-finals and won consecutive DFB-Pokal titles in 2022 and 2023, followed by the 2023 DFL-Supercup.
Leipzig’s immediate challenge is to transfer their home form to more difficult environments. Their next away performances will show whether Demichelis’ tactical adjustments can provide the balance and control required to compete consistently across the Bundesliga and Champions League.
