That could be something: Leipzig's new additions give hope

Lost 1:2 against Atalanta Bergamo. So what? At Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, the (avoidable) defeat in the penultimate test match before the competitive match against SV Sandhausen in the DFB Cup (August 16, 3.30 pm) did not trigger any panic attacks. What new coach Ole Werner wanted to see from the new signings in particular, he saw against the Italians. They only turned a game around in the last five minutes through Gianluca Scamacca and Lorenzo Bernasconi (90th), which Leipzig had largely under control with two completely different teams and were not undeservedly in the lead through Loïs Openda.

So slowly a starting line-up is developing

At least a starting line-up is already crystallizing at RB. "Of course we have a few things in mind. But there are still two weeks of training to go. It's not as if there are eleven names on the board," said Werner. However, two new signings are likely to have a great chance of immediately taking on key roles.

David Raum, Castello Lukeba and Willi Orban should be set in defense. Ridle Baku, El Chadaille Bitshiabu and Kosta Nedeljkovic will battle it out for the fourth spot in the backline. Xaver Schlager and new signing Ezechiel Banzuzi have put in the best performances so far in the back six. In front, Antonio Nusa, Assan Ouedraogo and new winger Johan Bakayoko have been busy, while Openda has scored in all test matches so far. The goalkeeping position is completely open. Whether Maarten Vandervoordt or Peter Gulacsi will start the season as number one will only be decided after the final test at RC Lens on Saturday (18:00).

Kampl, Haidara and probably also Klostermann without a future at RB

Against Bergamo, it became clear once again who will no longer be in demand in the Bundesliga club's squad. It is clear to everyone that Timo Werner has no prospects at all. The clearest sign. The Slovenian striker was left out of the matchday squad because there are several concrete inquiries for Benjamin Sesko, as sporting director Marcel Schäfer emphasized. "But that doesn't mean he can't play next week," said Schäfer. Newcastle and Manchester United are interested in Sesko and want to offer around 80 million euros.

Eljif Elmas, who was also earmarked for sale, has therefore moved into Team B as a striker. A position he had not trained in at all. But not Werner.

Neck problems also ruled out Xavi Simons, who Chelsea FC are interested in. However, the club world champions must first get rid of a few big-name players themselves before a transfer can take place. Amadou Haidara is being discussed by Paris FC. Where Kevin Kampl's journey will take him is just as unclear as the future of Lukas Klostermann. Although he was on the bench for the B squad, he was the only registered outfield player not to make an appearance.

RB develop a new sense of unity

Whatever RB's squad looks like at the end of the transfer period on August 31, it is a new, exciting constellation. The players have developed a new sense of unity, celebrating each other with every successful move. And everyone, including those who will be leaving RB, is really getting stuck in during training. Coach Werner and Schäfer emphasized this in unison. Something that no longer existed at the end of last season.