A brief portrait of RB Leipzig's opponents

Atlético Madrid (A)

The coach: Diego Simeone (54)

The star: Julian Alvarez

This stands out: Atlético without coach Simeone? No longer imaginable. The coach polarizes with his emotional performances on the sidelines. Atlético went on a shopping spree this summer. Striker Alexander Sörloth, who had been unsuccessful at Leipzig, was brought in, and world champion Julian Alvarez also arrived from Manchester City. The club has spent 185 million euros on new players so far.

Sporting Lisbon (H)

The coach: Rúben Amorim

The star: Viktor Gyökeres

This is striking: Successful coach Amorim could be kept despite many advances, the feared sell-out did not materialize. Gyökeres provides the necessary goals up front, while Morten Hjulmand stabilizes the game in the center of midfield. Sporting think offensively, prefer to play in a 3-4-3 and have scored twelve goals in three league games so far.

Celtic Glasgow (A)

The coach: Brendan Rodgers (51)

The star: Kasper Schmeichel

That stands out: In terms of personnel, the departure of midfield maestro Matt O'Riley to Brighton hurts, but at almost €30 million, Celtic couldn't say no. They reinvested some of the money in the Bundesliga, bringing in Arne Engels from Augsburg. There will also be a reunion with an ex-Leipzig player in Glasgow. Nicolas Kühn, who once played for RB at youth level, has made his breakthrough with the Scots and has shone in the league with two goals and two assists in three games so far.

Aston Villa (H)

The coach: Unai Emery (52)

The star: Ollie Watkins

That stands out: Coach Emery has lifted the team to a new level, taking them from mediocrity to the Champions League in his first full season in charge. In Douglas Luiz and ex-Leverkusen player Moussa Diaby, two key players were lost, while ex-HSVer Amadou Onana was among the additions.

Sturm Graz (A)

The coach: Christian Ilzer (46)

The star: Otar Kiteishvili

This is striking: The fact that Salzburg's championship streak was broken after ten years was a big surprise. The departure of key player Alexander Prass to Hoffenheim will be difficult to compensate for, and the transfer fee was partly invested in record signing Mika Biereth. The striker fitted in well straight away, scoring three times in four league games.

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