From Champions League contenders to mid-table strugglers — RB Leipzig’s 2025-26 season was a disaster. We dissect the tactical flaws, failed signings, and managerial missteps that led to their downfall.
RB Leipzig’s 2025-26 campaign wasn’t just underwhelming — it was a systemic collapse. Once famed for their high-pressing, vertical football under Julian Nagelsmann, the club has lost its identity. Under Marco Rose, the tactical shift toward a more possession-based 4-2-3-1 has backfired spectacularly. The pressing intensity, once among the highest in Europe, dropped to an average of 41% of ball recoveries in the opponent’s half — a damning statistic for a club built on counter-pressing.
The team’s transition defense has been catastrophically slow. Leipzig conceded 27 goals from counter-attacks in 28 Bundesliga matches — the worst in the league. Midfielders like Diego Lopes and Robin Koch failed to shield the backline, while full-backs David Raum and Niklas Hoheneder were repeatedly caught out of position. Even Loïs Openda, the team’s top scorer with 12 goals, was often isolated, receiving just 1.8 key passes per game — down from 2.6 the previous season.
"Leipzig aren’t pressing, they aren’t progressing, and they aren’t winning. This is a club without a footballing soul," said a Bundesliga analyst on Sky Sports.
The summer 2025 transfer window exposed deeper structural issues. The €18 million signing of Argentine right-back Lucas Cueto turned into a disaster — just three starts, constant injuries, and zero attacking impact. The loan of Amadou Onana from Everton was another misfire; his physical style clashed with Leipzig’s tempo-driven system, and he was benched after just six appearances.
Perhaps most baffling was the decision to re-sign Yvon Mvogo as emergency cover. At 31, the Swiss goalkeeper made critical errors against Hoffenheim and Freiburg, including a costly spill that led to a late equalizer. Meanwhile, the failure to sign a long-term central defender — despite links to Maxence Lacroix — left the aging pairing of Nkoulou and Laimer exposed. Leipzig’s defense conceded 48 goals in 28 games, nearly double their average from 2023-24.
Marco Rose now faces intense scrutiny. On one hand, he inherited a squad in transition, with long-term injuries to key players like Benjamin Šeško and a lack of depth in wide areas. He also had to integrate young talents like Rayan Bourhane into a high-pressure environment.
Yet, his tactical rigidity has drawn criticism. Rose stuck with the 4-2-3-1 despite clear inefficiencies, refusing to experiment with alternative formations like the 3-4-3 he used successfully at Borussia Dortmund. His in-game substitutions have been predictable, often introducing André Silva too late to impact matches. The team’s xG dropped from 1.9 to 1.3 per game, and their average possession fell below 50% — a sign of lost control. While not solely to blame, Rose’s inability to adapt has accelerated the crisis.
To avoid a downward spiral, Leipzig must act decisively. First, redefine their footballing identity: either return to the high-pressing Nagelsmann model or fully commit to a possession-based approach — but no half-measures. Second, overhaul the defense: invest in a dominant center-back (e.g., Castello Lukeba or Leandro Brey) and a reliable right-back. Third, reassess the sporting hierarchy: the influence of sporting director Tranquillo Barnetta must be balanced with greater autonomy for the coach.
Q: Will RB Leipzig sack their manager?
A: It depends on the final league position. If Leipzig finishes outside the top six, a change is highly likely. Rose’s contract has no long-term security, and the club may seek a more adaptable tactician.
Q: Who should RB Leipzig sign in summer 2026?
A: Priority targets should include a commanding center-back (e.g., Lukeba, Brey), a dynamic defensive midfielder (e.g., Zabarnyi), and a pacey winger (e.g., Jovan Mijatović). A young, long-term goalkeeper should also be considered.
Q: Why is RB Leipzig playing so badly?
A: A mix of lost identity, poor recruitment, key injuries, and tactical inflexibility. The club’s sporting model is struggling to balance financial constraints with competitive ambition.
