Como off to a very strong start
Como starts the first international match in the club's history furiously.
Cesc Fabregas's signature is immediately visible, with his team calmly building up from the back before switching play. The Italians do exactly that in the twelfth minute. Douvikas then fails to score after outstanding build-up play from Da Cunha, being denied by the goalkeeper.
Just two minutes later, Martin Baturina gets a fortunate shot away in the box after a quick transition. The Croatian remains ice-cold and makes it 1-0 for Como (15th minute).
Como captivates with playful brilliance
Como shows in the first half why they qualified for the Champions League in Italy.
Technically outstanding moves, fine one-on-one duels, and through balls that make your mouth water. Only the final pass into the box too rarely finds Douvikas.
Leipzig tries in its usual manner to press high and win the ball early, but Como repeatedly plays through it with ease.
In the 38th minute, the Greek striker then strikes. After a perfect through ball from Baturina, Douvikas is clean through, positions his body perfectly, and gives Maarten Vandevoordt no chance.
The only positive for Leipzig
The Germans are merely spectators in the first half. Shortly before Como's second goal, they have two chances, but both are well saved.
Rarely is Leipzig so ineffective with its own pressing. New signing Christopher Nkunku also hasn't made an impact yet.
End-to-end action ensues
Leipzig emerges much better from the dressing room and practically pins Como back in the opening minutes.
Then the young Italians break free, and the play races towards the goal at top speed. The ball reaches the rapid Assane Diao via three passes. And the 21-year-old remains cool, slotting it into the bottom left corner (54th minute).
Just two minutes later, Da Cunha gets a shot at an empty net but pushes it wide. That really should have been 4-0.
However, Leipzig's pressing then finally works. A high ball win allows Andrija Maksimović to get a shot away from the edge of the box and reduce the deficit to 3-1 (58th minute).
Game over for Nicolas Seiwald
In the 58th minute, Nicolas Seiwald is substituted for Assan Ouédraogo for Leipzig. The Austrian international, known for his tireless running, didn't particularly stand out in the game, with one or two sloppy ball losses occurring during build-up play.
Shortly after, Diao has a chance to make it 4-1, but he chips the ball past the Leipzig goal (61st minute).
Leipzig tries but can no longer turn it around
In the second half, it's noticeable that RB has adjusted better to Como's style of play. Their pressing works, and they create a few opportunities.
However, they don't become truly incisive. Antonio Nusa can repeatedly create danger with his rapid dribbling, but even the Norwegian fails to produce an end product. Ridle Baku had a chance to pull one back shortly before the end (80th minute).
Máximo Perrone even manages to make it 4-1 in the 88th minute. After a counter-attack, the young Argentinian remains cool and slots it into the bottom left corner.
Como thus starts the league phase with three points. Leipzig is under pressure early in the Champions League. The schedule, with Real Madrid, Manchester City, and United, will not get any easier.
RC Lens wins absolutely crazy football match
Lens beats Slavia Prague 3-2 in the Champions League.
Mikulas Konecny receives a red card early in the second half (49th minute). However, the Czechs refuse to be deterred and take the lead just two minutes later through Danijel Sturm.
Abdallah Sima then scores the equalizer for Lens in the 73rd minute. But Slavia stays in it, and Sturm completes his brace in the 88th minute. The game seems decided until Lens strikes in stoppage time.
Floiran Thauvin (90+1st minute) and Ruben Aguilar (90+3rd minute) turn the game around for the French side and win in Prague.
