A narrow 2-1 DFB-Pokal win over third-division RW Essen on October 27 gave RB Leipzig a much-needed positive result, but it does little to mask the turbulence that has defined their October. The month brought heavy defeats against Bayern Munich, a 1-6 Bundesliga loss, and a 1-4 reverse at Real Madrid in the Champions League, results that piled pressure on coach Martin Demichelis and raised questions about the squad's consistency at the highest level.

The Bundesliga table reflects the unevenness. Leipzig sit fifth with 12 points from seven games, level with Werder Bremen below them and three points behind fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen. For a club with European ambitions, that gap is manageable but the manner of recent defeats has sharpened scrutiny of Demichelis, with reports noting concerns about his communication within the squad alongside the on-pitch results.

Off the pitch, Leipzig are monitoring Juventus forward Luca Licina, a 19-year-old former Bayern Munich academy product currently on loan at Serie B side Cremonese, according to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio. The German under-19 international has three goal contributions in nine appearances and could arrive in January to add depth to the attack.

A Bundesliga trip to Schalke on October 31 now offers Leipzig the chance to build on the cup win and stabilise their domestic position before the schedule intensifies again.