RB Leipzig are navigating one of the most turbulent stretches of their season, with inconsistent results and growing questions about the direction of the club under Martin Demichelis. A 1:6 thrashing by Bayern Munich and a 1:4 defeat at Real Madrid in the Champions League exposed deep defensive vulnerabilities, and despite a 4:0 home win over Elversberg providing brief relief, the underlying problems have not gone away. A 2:1 DFB-Pokal victory at Rot-Weiss Essen added another positive result to the ledger, but Leipzig sit sixth in the Bundesliga with 12 points from seven games, closer to mid-table than their own ambitions demand.

Off the pitch, the squad situation is complicated. Johan Bakayoko, signed for 18 million euros in the summer of 2025, looks increasingly likely to leave in January after falling completely out of favour. Disciplinary concerns have compounded his lack of playing time, and the club is reportedly willing to let him go. Meanwhile, Leipzig are monitoring Juventus loanee Luka Licina as a potential winter addition, according to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, suggesting the club is already planning for the next window.

Demichelis faces his next test at Schalke on October 31, where Leipzig will be expected to win against a side deep in relegation trouble. The result will matter less for the points than for the momentum it either builds or further erodes.