Demichelis Warns Leipzig of Mbappe Threat Before Real Madrid Test
RB Leipzig head coach Martin Demichelis has challenged his side to respond immediately from their 6-1 defeat to Bayern Munich when they meet European champions Real Madrid in the Spanish capital, identifying Kylian Mbappe’s transition threat as the central danger.
Leipzig must recover their identity after Bayern defeat
Demichelis said Leipzig had fallen below their usual level in every major phase against Bayern, both with possession and without it. He expects a sharp improvement against Real Madrid, insisting his players can quickly correct the shortcomings exposed in the heavy loss.
The Leipzig coach wants his team to show more courage on the ball rather than invite sustained pressure and the fast breaks that have become a defining strength of Jose Mourinho’s Madrid side.
“We were not the team we normally are in the areas I consider essential, with the ball or without it,” Demichelis said. “I am convinced it will be straightforward to change what we showed against Bayern.”
Mbappe sets the benchmark for Madrid’s attacking danger
Madrid’s capacity to turn a defensive recovery into a scoring chance in only a few touches has shaped Leipzig’s preparation. Demichelis highlighted Mbappe as the clearest example of a forward who can exploit even the smallest opening.
He warned that Madrid need only two passes for one of their attackers to run beyond the defence, find space in a congested area and create a finish. Mbappe, in his view, can beat a goalkeeper after a single dribble and complete the chance almost instantly.
Leipzig will therefore need concentration throughout the match while also finding a way to establish possession. Demichelis described Mourinho’s teams as compact, disciplined over when to regain the ball, and highly effective when the moment arrives to attack.
- Demichelis took charge of Leipzig in July while Yan Diomande was away at the World Cup.
- Diomande subsequently became an important Real Madrid player after his move from Germany.
- Leipzig then suffered a 6-1 loss against Bayern Munich.
- Demichelis is now seeking a more assertive display against Madrid in the Spanish capital.
Diomande’s development remains in his own hands
Demichelis will also come up against Yan Diomande, a player he had little opportunity to work with directly at Leipzig. The coach arrived during the winger’s World Cup absence and said most of his assessment of the player has come from watching matches on television and computer screens rather than from training-ground sessions.
He believes Diomande can decide matches from either wing because of his acceleration, close control and ability to use both feet. Demichelis praised the attacker’s capacity to reach top speed within only a few metres and said his technical qualities make him effective on the left or right.
Real Madrid will provide elite coaching and high-level team-mates, but Demichelis believes the next stage of Diomande’s progress will depend chiefly on the player’s own ambition and willingness to keep improving.
Key takeaways
- Leipzig are aiming to answer their 6-1 Bayern Munich defeat with a more recognisable performance.
- Madrid’s rapid counter-attacks, particularly those involving Mbappe, are the main tactical concern.
- Demichelis wants greater bravery in possession to limit the hosts’ transition opportunities.
- Former Leipzig winger Diomande is viewed as a two-sided attacking threat whose future development depends on his own drive.
