RB Leipzig are back on the rise, and Ole Werner isn’t hiding his ambitions. The 37-year-old coach, who took charge of the Bundesliga club in July 2025 following a dismal previous campaign, made his intentions crystal clear from day one — European football was non-negotiable. What nobody quite anticipated, however, was just how quickly he would make good on that promise after a sweeping summer overhaul at the club.
Leipzig head into Saturday’s clash against Borussia Mönchengladbach — kick-off at 15:30 — with a genuine shot at securing Conference League qualification before the day is even out. Should RB pick up three points at the Red Bull Arena while Eintracht Frankfurt fail to beat Wolfsburg simultaneously, Werner’s first objective as Leipzig boss would already be wrapped up. That’s a remarkable turnaround for a side that looked like it needed a complete rebuild just months ago.
But Werner isn’t settling for the Conference League. Not even close. “The sooner we secure European football, the sooner the chance to play Champions League becomes real,” he told reporters directly. He was equally blunt when pushed further — sitting third in the table with six games remaining, finishing fifth simply won’t be good enough. The man knows what he wants, and he’s not shy about saying it.
Ole Werner Eyes Champions League as RB Leipzig Push for Top-Four Finish
The conversation has firmly shifted in Leipzig’s camp. Champions League football is now the stated goal, and Werner has made clear that dropping points — even in a fixture like Saturday’s against Gladbach — is not an option they can afford. “It’s going to be a tough battle to stay in the mix,” he said, acknowledging that the race for the top positions will likely go down to Matchday 34.
History does favour Leipzig here. In their last nine home encounters against Mönchengladbach, RB have never lost at the Red Bull Arena, claiming five victories in the process. That’s the kind of record that builds confidence ahead of a high-stakes fixture. Still, Werner isn’t reading too much into the stat sheet — the goalless draw in the first leg this season showed exactly how competitive and physical these meetings can be.
There’s an added concern on the attacking front. In their last three meetings with Gladbach, Leipzig failed to score a single goal. That’s a run that needs to end on Saturday if the hosts are serious about their Champions League push. Werner acknowledged it plainly: “We need a top performance. Gladbach always have a shot at winning, even if they’re looking over their shoulder in the table.”
Compounding the challenge is a notable injury setback. Castello Lukeba, the 23-year-old centre-back, picked up an adductor injury during Leipzig’s 2-1 win in Bremen and will sit out Saturday’s match. It’s a significant blow to the backline. In his absence, Nicolas Seiwald — typically deployed in midfield — is expected to drop into defence to cover the gap. The 24-year-old Austrian has shown his versatility before, but asking him to anchor a defence in a match of this magnitude is no small ask.
With Seiwald shifting roles, Ezechiel Banzuzi is tipped to step into the midfield and fill the void. The 21-year-old will need to bring energy and composure if Leipzig are to control the tempo against a Gladbach side that, despite their mid-table position, remains unpredictable and dangerous on the counter.
Leipzig’s trajectory under Werner has been one of the more compelling stories in the Bundesliga this season. From the wreckage of a failed campaign, he’s rebuilt belief, structure, and genuine ambition. Saturday’s match is more than just three points — it’s a statement of intent about where this club is heading, and Werner knows better than anyone that the job is far from done.