RB Leipzig are up and running under new head coach Martin Demichelis, beating Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-0 at the Red Bull Arena on matchday one to sit second in the early Bundesliga table. The result matters beyond the three points. After a troubled pre-season that included defeats to Bayern Munich and Leeds United, and a summer transfer window marked by failed pursuits of Fisnik Asllani and Said El Mala, the clean sheet and convincing scoreline provide genuine momentum heading into a demanding schedule.

The biggest boost to that confidence arrived before a ball was kicked in the league. Christopher Nkunku has returned to the club on a season-long loan from AC Milan, with Leipzig holding a reported 28 million euro purchase option. The Frenchman, who scored 70 goals in his first spell and shared the Bundesliga golden boot in 2022/23, fills the void left by Yan Diomande's 125 million euro move to Real Madrid. Sport director Marcel Schäfer described Nkunku's desire to return as a clear signal of the player's connection to the club.

The squad may not be finished yet. Reports from Sky link Leipzig to Robert Andrich, the former Germany midfielder who has been sidelined at Bayer Leverkusen under new coach Carles Martinez. Demichelis is said to want reinforcement in central midfield before the transfer window closes.

The competitive stakes are high. Leipzig's Champions League group draw handed them trips to Real Madrid and Manchester United, with Manchester City visiting Leipzig, making European progress a serious test of this rebuilt squad. First, a trip to Werder Bremen on September 5 awaits.