Test Matches: RB Wins First Game Under Demichelis Narrowly

RB Leipzig began their preseason with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nordost-Regionalliga team VSG Altglienicke in their first friendly match under new head coach Martin Demichelis. The win, however, revealed significant challenges for the Bundesliga side, who appeared sluggish and uncoordinated in their initial outing.

Brajan Gruda opened the scoring for Leipzig in the eighth minute, but Jonas Nietfeld equalized for Altglienicke in the 22nd minute. The match, played in front of 1500 spectators in Markranstädt, clearly showed the effects of the teams' current training states. Altglienicke, considered a promotion favorite in their league, starts their season next week.

Leipzig, having completed only five training sessions, looked neither fresh nor cohesive. The aggressive and fast-paced style of play demanded by Demichelis was only partially evident in the second half. The Argentinian coach made wholesale substitutions throughout the game, providing opportunities for youth players.

Several young players showed promise, including Suleman Sani, Tidiam Gomis, Samba Konaté, and Johan Bakayoko, who scored Leipzig's winning goal in the 51st minute and later hit the crossbar. Despite these flashes of potential, the team's defense exhibited notable lapses, one of which led to Altglienicke's goal, though the visitors missed further chances.

The performance suggests that Demichelis has considerable work ahead to instill his tactical vision and improve the team's fitness and coordination before the Bundesliga season commences.