Leipzig faces a difficult test against Real Madrid after the Bayern disaster

German team Leipzig traveled to Spain today (Tuesday); A tough test awaits him in the Champions League against Spanish Real Madrid, the record holder for the number of wins in the tournament.

The task of achieving a positive result at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is very difficult at any time, but Leipzig is playing this match, after a humiliating defeat (1-6) against Bayern Munich in the German League, in addition to losing in its previous European match away from home with a score of 1-4.

Although suffering another defeat will not mean the end of the world, club officials will closely monitor the seriousness and commitment of the team's players, under the leadership of Argentine coach Martin Demichelis.

Marcel Schäfer, member of the Board of Directors for Sports Affairs, expressed his strong dissatisfaction. Pointing out that the players did not appear to be fighters at all throughout the match in Munich.

For his part, midfielder Nicholas Seewald stressed the need to learn from this lesson and move forward.

Tomorrow's match (Wednesday) is Leipzig's third visit to the stronghold of Real Madrid, after the team lost 0-2 in the group stage during the 2022-2023 season, while it achieved a good 1-1 draw in the round of sixteen in the following season, but that was not enough to compensate for its loss in the first leg at home with a score of 0-1.

Swede Dejan Kulusevski expressed his feeling that he is a “different man” after being away for 17 months due to injury, following his return to participate with Tottenham, which is suffering from declining results in the English Football League.

The midfielder entered amid supportive chants in the 87th minute of his team’s 3-1 victory over Coventry, on Monday, at Tottenham Stadium.

Kulusevski suffered several setbacks after undergoing knee surgery in May 2025. But a second operation last March put the 26-year-old player finally on the path to recovery.

Kulusevski said after Tottenham achieved their first league win this season: Which raised him from the bottom of the ranking: “Everything is wonderful.” “I have worked harder than you can imagine.”

He added: “The journey seemed impossible. It was the hardest as can be, but I had a feeling that I would be back playing football. "I just had to believe in it, and that's what I do."

He continued: “I continued to work 10 hours a day out of sight, so when everything seemed impossible and when everyone gave up, I did not give up at all, and that is why what happened today.”

Al-Suwaidi expressed his gratitude. “Because the fans missed seeing me play. It means a lot to me, and I'm here to show them a better version of me. And a better version of me means better Tottenham, so; "We will be fine."

Tottenham had achieved only 3 home victories in the league during Kulusevski's long absence, and narrowly escaped relegation on the last day of the 2025-2026 season.

He also missed the club's victory in the European League (Europa League) in 2025 and Sweden's World Cup campaign, but he is now ready to make up for lost time.

He said: “It was an amazing journey, although it was difficult at times.” “Difficulty is beautiful, and I am very grateful to have had this experience.”

He added: “Now I am ready to play football.” I see myself a little differently now. I think I've become a different man. the person himself; The same person who wants to play football, but a little wiser.”

Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United duo, missed training ahead of the English team’s trip to face its Italian host, Como, in the Champions League.

The curse of injury is still haunting Manchester United players, before the team's expected meeting in the third round of the league stage of the most important and strongest competition at the club level in the Old Continent.

Martinez had an eventful week; He apologized after publicly criticizing the club's management, and then participated in the team's match in the English Premier League, the day before yesterday (Sunday), against Leeds United, but he was forced to leave the field due to a thigh injury.

As for Rashford, he remained on the bench without participating in the match that was held at Elland Road, while Manchester United confirmed today (Tuesday) that he is “suffering from an injury.”

Rashford and Martinez were among 8 players who missed training at the Carrington Center, along with Aiden Haven, Luke Shaw, Kobe Maino, Benjamin Cisco, Patrick Durgo, and Manuel Ugarte, according to the British news agency (PA Media).

Shaw and Maino missed the last two matches, while Haven missed the Leeds match due to illness, while Cisco, Dorgo and Ugarte suffer from various injuries.

Meanwhile, Dutchman Matthijs de Ligt returned to training, but did not participate in any match after undergoing back surgery, while defender Lenny Euro will miss the match against Como due to suspension.

It is noteworthy that the draw with Leeds made Manchester United complete 6 consecutive matches without achieving any victory in various competitions, a series that also includes a loss to Atletico Madrid of Spain, last week in the Champions League.

It is noteworthy that United is in thirteenth place in the Champions League standings with 3 points from two matches, while it occupies the same position in the English Premier League standings with 7 points from 7 matches.