RB Leipzig faces Real Madrid, Man City in Champions League

RB Leipzig has been drawn into a challenging group for the upcoming Champions League season, facing formidable opponents Real Madrid and Manchester City.

This marks the third time RB Leipzig will meet Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage. The draw also sets up a reunion with former player Yan Diomande, who recently transferred to Real Madrid. Manchester City, a familiar foe from the 2020-2024 period, will also be an opponent, with Leipzig facing them at home.

Further strengthening the group's competitive edge, RB Leipzig will also compete against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Feyenoord Rotterdam, and Italian debutant Como, managed by former player Cesc Fàbregas. Domestically, Leipzig will host PSV Eindhoven, featuring on-loan player Lutsharel Geertruida, Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, and RC Lens, with former player Amadou Haidara.

The draw took place in Monaco, attended by RB Leipzig's managing director Tatjana Haenni and colleagues Johann Plenge and Ulrich Wolter. Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff was also present. Meanwhile, the professional players, along with the women's Bundesliga team and RB staff, watched the draw unfold in Leipzig.

Having qualified for the Champions League as third-place finishers in the Bundesliga under coach Ole Werner, RB Leipzig, now led by Martín Demichelis, faces significant challenges. The team reached the semi-finals in the 2019/2020 season, but lost 0-3 to Paris Saint-Germain. The 36 participating teams were divided into four pots based on UEFA's club rankings, with restrictions preventing teams from the same association from being drawn against each other, and no team facing more than two opponents from the same country. RB Leipzig was placed in Pot Three.