The setting was gorgeous, but the game was a nightmare: RB Leipzig was outclassed at times by up-and-comer Como 1907 and kicked off its Champions League campaign with yet another loss. On the shores of Lake Como, the Italian newcomer—which was still in the fourth division just seven years ago—was unstoppable and secured a 4-1 (2-0) victory over the Bundesliga club thanks to goals by Martin Baturina (15th minute), Tasos Douvikas (38th), Assane Diao (54th minute), and Maximo Perrone (90th minute), a 4-1 (2-0) victory over the Bundesliga side. Andrija Maksimovic (58th minute) managed only a consolation goal. Leipzig had already failed to earn any points after the first matchday of the group stage in its previous Champions League appearance. In the end, the club recorded just one win in eight games and was eliminated well ahead of the others. With this second consecutive loss—they had lost 1–3 in Bremen on Saturday—the pressure is mounting on new coach Martin Demichelis. The Argentine had demanded a response from his team—but it was initially absent. Como dictated the action, maintaining control for nearly the entire first half. Demichelis wanted to put pressure on the Champions League newcomer with more possession, but the team lacked passing speed, coordination, and intensity. At halftime, Leipzig had just 40 percent possession; Demichelis’s influence was barely recognizable. Como was simply the better team, and after twelve minutes, Maarten Vandevoordt was forced to make a last-ditch save against Douvikas. However, the Greek player was offside during the play. Three minutes later, Baturina won the ball at the midfield line and sent Douvikas through. The forward slid the ball low into the penalty area, where Ridle Baku cleared it straight into the path of the outstanding Baturina—0–1. Leipzig initially avoided further damage and then enjoyed a strong spell around the half-hour mark. But the Saxons failed to capitalize on a huge double chance to equalize. Jean Butez made a brilliant save on a curling shot by Andrija Maksimovic, who had moved into the starting lineup, and Marc Guiu missed with a header from close range immediately afterward. Como stepped up the intensity again and caused problems for Leipzig. Baturina broke away with a simple feint in his own half and played a precise ball into the path of Douvikas. RB’s defensive leader Willi Orban had been caught offside, leaving the attacker to run alone toward Vandevoordt and finish with nerves of steel. Leipzig was reeling but managed to make it into halftime without conceding another goal. Leipzig came out of halftime with better ball control and more dominance, while Como dropped back slightly. However, the very first counterattack paid off. Playmaker Nico Paz sent Diao, who had made a run, down the right flank; the Senegalese player blasted the ball into the far corner from a tight angle. A few minutes later, Vandevoordt was already beaten following another counterattack, but Como captain Lucas Da Cunha fired the ball wide of the empty net from ten meters out. Then, all of a sudden, Leipzig was back in the game. Christopher Nkunku played a cross at the edge of the penalty area, and Maksimovic scored a spectacular goal into the corner. Demichelis brought on three new players at once: Assan Ouédraogo, Tidiam Gomis, and Ezechiel Banzuzi. Como increasingly ceded control of the game to Leipzig, though Leipzig no longer posed any real threat. On the other hand, Como did: In the closing minutes, Nico Paz first missed a chance on a counterattack (83'), then set up Perrone for the final goal. Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reservedDemichelis’ Demand Falls Flat
Douvikas coolly extends the lead
The first counterattack pays off
