Madrid’s Bernabéu awaits RB Leipzig with Martín Demichelis demanding a far sharper response from his side after their 6-1 Bundesliga defeat to Bayern Munich. The Argentine coach believes possession will be central to Leipzig’s chances against Real Madrid, whose ability to turn two passes into an attacking break remains one of the defining dangers of the European night.
Leipzig travel to Spain for their Champions League meeting knowing that the display in Munich cannot be repeated. Demichelis said his team had fallen short in every phase of that match, both with and without the ball, but he expects an immediate correction on a stage made for the club’s leading players.
“I also expect to see a different team from the one we were last weekend,” Demichelis said. “We were not ourselves in any area. I am fully convinced it can be changed quickly. If this team and this club had such a strong season last year, it was to play matches of this kind.”
Possession and Madrid’s counter-attacking threat
Demichelis wants Leipzig to impose their own game rather than waiting for Madrid to dictate the rhythm. He described the home side’s transitions as exceptionally dangerous, particularly because their attackers can decide an action almost immediately after a turnover.
“We have to go out and play the match, not wait for the opponent to play theirs,” he said. “Against Real Madrid, you must look after the ball because their transition is extremely dangerous. They need only two passes for any of their forwards to make the difference.”
He called for a complete performance against a Madrid squad he regards as deep across the pitch, from its attacking match-winners to its midfield and defensive options. For Demichelis, these are the rare continental fixtures his players must embrace rather than fear.
He also spoke warmly of José Mourinho, saying the Madrid coach’s teams are notable for their compact shape and their judgement over when to regain possession and strike. Demichelis said it would be a source of pride to meet and greet Mourinho again inside the stadium.
Although Madrid no longer have Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro, midfielders who “defined an era”, Demichelis believes their current alternatives are of international standard. How those players are used, he said, will depend on the coach’s tactical idea.
Diomande returns to familiar opposition
The tie also brings Yan Diomande up against the club he left last summer. The winger, now Madrid’s most expensive signing of all time, departed Leipzig only days after Demichelis arrived as coach.
Demichelis said he had little opportunity to work directly with Diomande because the player was away at the World Cup when he took charge. Their conversations, however, made clear that Diomande wanted to advance his career, and the Leipzig coach believes the forward has a major future ahead.
“His development here was very rapid,” Demichelis said. “Modern football has moved strongly towards wingers who can beat opponents, and he is one of those players who makes a difference from either flank.”
Diomande’s close control with both feet gives him the freedom to play on the left or right, while his acceleration over short distances makes him particularly difficult to contain. Demichelis also highlighted the winger’s defensive work, describing him as a wide player who tracks back extensively and wins a high number of duels.
Leipzig principles and a personal refuge in football
Demichelis avoided describing his spell in Leipzig as a long-term “project”, arguing that football ultimately turns on results. But he said his ideas match the club’s emphasis on developing young talent and helping emerging players progress.
“I think the club appointed me because I devote a lot of work to the development of young players,” he said. “The institution places great importance on that too. I am happy because my principles fully align with those of the club.”
He accepted personal responsibility for the Bayern defeat, saying he is the first to criticise himself and seek improvements when those principles are not reflected on the pitch.
Beyond the touchline, Demichelis described football as a support through profound losses. His mother died of cancer when he was 14, while his father was killed in a road accident in 2013. He also said that, after separating from his family a year ago following 18 years together, being away from his children has been difficult.
“Football was an ally that helped me carry on first as a player and now as a coach,” he said. “It gives me life and makes me feel like my true self.”
Manchester City view
Demichelis, who played for Manchester City from 2013 to 2016, was also asked about the possible punishment facing the English club after findings of financial irregularities. He said he did not want to be hypocritical, but maintained that City’s trophies were earned on the field.
“What was won was won on the pitch, legitimately, with an extraordinary football identity in one of the best leagues in the world,” he said.
The Leipzig coach insisted that financial and contractual matters sit outside his role. He said that whenever he joins a club, he does not want to know a player’s salary or the remaining length of a contract, because his focus is the pitch, the squad and the dressing room. He added that he had not followed the details closely enough to offer a view on what may happen next.
