RB Leipzig’s Champions League campaign began with a night to forget. Martin Demichelis’ side suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Como at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, with defensive mistakes allowing the Italian hosts to make history on their European debut.
Como waited 119 years for this moment, and they made the occasion unforgettable.
Martin Baturina, Tasos Douvikas, Assane Diao and Maximo Perrone all found the net as Como produced an emphatic victory over Leipzig. The result not only gave the Italian side a dream start to their European campaign but also exposed several weaknesses in the German club’s defensive organisation.
For Demichelis, the biggest concern was how easily his team allowed Como to create opportunities.
The Argentine coach did not hide his frustration after the final whistle, particularly with the way Leipzig conceded the first two goals.
Como Make History Against RB Leipzig
Como’s victory was already significant before considering the margin of victory.
The match represented a historic European debut for the club after waiting 119 years to reach this stage. Their reward was a four-goal performance against Leipzig.
The result also placed Como in a select group of Italian clubs.
They became only the second Italian club to score at least four goals in their debut European Cup or Champions League match, matching Sampdoria’s achievement against Rosenborg in 1991.
For Como, the occasion could hardly have gone better.
Their attacking players took advantage of Leipzig’s defensive problems, while the home side showed the confidence and organisation required to punish mistakes at the highest level.
Leipzig, meanwhile, were left searching for answers after an unexpectedly difficult opening to their Champions League campaign.
Demichelis Unhappy With Leipzig’s Defensive Display
The first major warning sign came when Ridle Baku made an error while attempting to clear the ball.
The mistake gave Baturina an opportunity, and the Como player took advantage to put the hosts ahead.
Baturina then played an important role in Como’s second goal. His pass split the Leipzig defence, allowing Douvikas to double the advantage.
For Demichelis, those moments represented more than individual errors.
He believes they reflected a wider problem with Leipzig’s defensive structure.
“It is difficult to give an accurate analysis right now. The opponent was much better than us,” Demichelis said.
The coach’s frustration was understandable. At Champions League level, small mistakes can quickly become decisive, especially against a team capable of transitioning quickly from defence to attack.
The First Two Goals Were “Gifts”
Demichelis was particularly critical of the way Leipzig behaved after losing possession.
Rather than maintaining their defensive structure, the team struggled to reorganise quickly enough.
That left spaces for Como to exploit.
“We needed a better structure without the ball, but that didn’t happen. The first two goals were gifts. You cannot defend like that at this level,” Demichelis said.
His comments underline the central issue behind Leipzig’s defeat.
The problem was not simply that Como scored four times. The way the goals arrived showed how vulnerable Leipzig could become when their organisation broke down.
The first two goals gave Como an early advantage and confidence, forcing Leipzig to chase the match.
Once the home side had control of the game, Leipzig faced an increasingly difficult task.
Como Strike Again Despite Leipzig Improving
Leipzig did improve after the interval.
The German side enjoyed more possession and attempted to regain control of the match.
However, possession alone was not enough.
Como remained dangerous when they attacked, and their first attack of the second half produced another goal.
Diao found the net to make the situation even more difficult for Leipzig.
That moment frustrated Demichelis because it demonstrated that his team still had problems controlling transitions despite seeing more of the ball.
Leipzig could have more possession and still remain vulnerable if their defensive structure was not strong enough.
That is an issue Demichelis will need to address quickly.
Eight New Players Add to Leipzig’s Challenge
Another factor highlighted by Demichelis was the difference in team cohesion.
Como have spent around three years playing together, allowing the squad to develop a clear identity and understanding.
Leipzig, by contrast, entered the season with eight new players in their squad.
“We also have to acknowledge that the opponent has been playing together for around three years and has a clear identity. That was visible tonight,” Demichelis said.
The difference was evident during the match.
Como appeared comfortable with their movements and defensive organisation, while Leipzig were still searching for the right balance.
“We have eight new players in the squad. That was also visible. In the second half, we had more possession, but Como’s first attack ended in a goal. It is difficult to see positives right now,” Demichelis added.
The main issues facing Leipzig include:
- Defensive organisation when possession is lost.
- Avoiding individual mistakes in dangerous areas.
- Building chemistry among new players.
- Improving transitions from attack to defence.
- Developing a stronger collective identity.
These areas will become particularly important as Leipzig continue their Champions League journey.
Leipzig Must Respond Quickly
A heavy opening defeat puts pressure on Leipzig to respond.
The team cannot afford to allow one difficult European night to affect their domestic campaign. Their immediate task is to recover in the Bundesliga before turning their attention back to the Champions League.
The next European challenge will arrive against PSV Eindhoven on matchday two on October 13.
That fixture gives Leipzig an opportunity to correct some of the problems exposed in Como.
However, the defensive organisation must improve before then.
The defeat has provided Demichelis with a clear indication of where his team needs to work. More possession is not necessarily enough if Leipzig continue to concede from transitions and defensive mistakes.
A Tough Lesson for RB Leipzig
Como’s 4-1 victory was a historic moment for the Italian club, but it also served as a major warning for RB Leipzig.
The German side entered the Champions League campaign with expectations, only to find themselves overwhelmed by a Como team playing with confidence and a strong collective identity.
Demichelis did not attempt to hide the problems.
His description of the first two goals as “gifts” reflected the frustration surrounding Leipzig’s defensive performance, while his comments about Como’s three years together highlighted the importance of team chemistry.
There is still plenty of time for Leipzig to improve.
But their opening Champions League result makes one thing clear: if they want to compete at this level, their defensive structure must become more reliable.
The next matches will reveal whether the defeat in Como was simply a bad night or an indication of deeper problems within a squad still adjusting to significant changes.
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