Diego Simeone has called for patience with Julian Alvarez, after the forward opened his Atletico Madrid account last weekend.

The Argentina international netted his first goal for Los Rojiblancos against Valencia on Sunday, rounding off a commanding 3-0 victory at the Metropolitano Stadium.

It was Alvarez's fifth appearance since completing his move from Manchester City on a six-year deal reportedly worth up to €95million (£81.8million).

The 24-year-old linked up with his new team-mates following an extended break, having starred in Argentina's Copa America triumph in July.

Simeone insists Alvarez still needs time to settle into life in the Spanish capital, but is confident he will score plenty of goals throughout the campaign.

"[Alvarez] is a noble, hard-working boy, who surely has a lot of important things to give us," he told reporters at his press conference. "But he is coming from a summer, in which he had a brief holiday.

"It was that stir of: 'I'm going to go, I'm staying, have to start playing, got to go with Argentina, have to come back'. It was intense and, luckily, he is in a group of team-mates who are working very well and understand the situation.

"We are always going to demand what he can give us because we know and believe in his potential. Hopefully, him scoring his first goal the other day will be the first of many to come."

Alvarez could make his European bow for Atletico when they welcome Leipzig for their Champions League opener on Thursday.

And Simeone hopes his players and the Atleti supporters will respond to the occasion.

"We are looking forward to returning to compete in the Champions League," he added. "I can imagine a stadium with the energy required to return to this competition.

"Hopefully, we can transmit all the enthusiasm and energy that I'm counting on from this group."

Bayer Leverkusen suffered their first defeat in 36 Bundesliga matches, as Leipzig came from behind to stun Xabi Alonso's side 3-2 at BayArena.

Lois Openda struck twice for Marco Rose's, who recovered from 2-0 down to make it two wins from two and move to the summit of the table.

It looked like business as usual for the reigning Bundesliga champions when they scored twice in the last seven minutes of the first half through Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo.

However, Leipzig replied deep into first-half stoppage time with Kevin Kampl reducing the deficit.

Openda then brought the visitors level in the 57th minute, before a stunning long-range strike completed the turnaround 10 minutes from time, condemning Leverkusen to their first league defeat in 15 months. 

Data Debrief: Leverkusen's long streak comes to a shuddering halt

Leipzig became the first side to beat Leverkusen in a Bundesliga match since Bochum achieved the feat a staggering 462 days earlier.  

The visitors have begun a Bundesliga season with two wins from two for only the second time, also doing so in 2019-20.

They are also now unbeaten in 13 league matches, their longest such streak since Rose took charge.

As for Leverkusen, their invincible streak is officially history, as is their 29-game unbeaten run on home soil.

Xabi Alonso is looking for a big improvement from Bayer Leverkusen against fellow Champions League side RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday. 

After a 3-2 league win at Borussia Monchengladbach, Leverkusen edged to a narrow 1-0 victory at fourth-tier FC Carl Zeiss Jena in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday.

Despite winning their opening two games of the season, and maintaining their impressive unbeaten streak, Alonso said his double-winning side are far from their best selves.

"We know that we can play better and have not yet reached our top level yet. We need to work on that," Alonso told reporters on Friday.

"That's why we want to carry on working. It's a process to achieve that level, but it's our aim, and we're focused on that. And I'm confident we can do it too.

"The players know exactly what they have to do. We have a good flow in our game, and we have to maintain that so that we can work both with and without the ball."

Leverkusen and Leipzig will both play Liverpool, Inter and Atletico Madrid in the revamped Champions League, with Alonso conceding that Saturday's match could be a test of his side's potential in that competition.

"The game with Leipzig is a top match at Champions League level. They are very good opponents with very strong individual and collective quality and a great coach [Marco Rose]."

"We have eight great opponents, and it will for sure be intense, and obviously I am looking forward to going back to Anfield."

Leverkusen captain Lukas Hradecky has been ruled out due to illness and will be replaced by Matej Kovar in goal, Alonso also confirmed. 

RB Leipzig have confirmed the capture of 19-year-old attacker Antonio Nusa from Jupiler Pro League side Club Brugge. 

Nusa, who was of interest to several Premier League sides in the January transfer window, has signed a five-year deal with the Bundesliga outfit. 

The Norwegian made 46 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring four goals and helping the Blauw-Zwart to a 19th league title. 

He takes the number seven shirt vacated by Dani Olmo following his reported £51m transfer to Barcelona after his impressive showings at Euro 2024. 

Nusa is the second signing made by Die Roten Bullen from the Belgian top flight, with goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt arriving from Genk earlier in the window. 

"I'm just incredibly proud to be at RB Leipzig and in the Bundesliga now. The club showed me a clear vision and a clear path, which totally convinced me," Nusa said.

"It's a big step for me, of course – but I'm ready for it. RB Leipzig has developed into one of the top clubs in Europe and is above all one of the top addresses for young players.

"It's just an outstanding feeling to be able to play there in front of over 45,000 fans in a few days."

Dani Olmo has become Barcelona's second signing of the transfer window after his reported £47million switch from RB Leipzig was confirmed on Friday. 

Olmo, who starred at Euro 2024 in Spain's record fourth success in the competition, has signed a six-year deal with a release clause of €500m (£428.5million). 

The Spaniard brings an end to his time with RB Leipzig, leaving the club having scored 29 goals and adding 34 assists across 148 appearances in all competitions. 

Olmo created 32 chances in his 21 Bundesliga outings last year, a total bettered only by Lois Openda (35), Benjamin Henrichs (40), David Raum (68) and Xavi Simons (79) in the Leipzig squad. 

During the European Championships, Olmo became the first Spanish player to score in three successive games, despite only starting three of La Roja's seven games. 

His five goal involvements (three goals, two assists) was also the most by a Spaniard at a major tournament since David Silva at Euro 2012 (two goals, three assists). 

Olmo is Hansi Flick's second signing since becoming Barca's new head coach following the arrival of Pau Victor from Girona for a reported €3m fee. 

The 27-time La Liga champions start their league campaign on August 17 away to Valencia. 

RB Leipzig's Spain international Dani Olmo is leaving after more than four years at the Bundesliga club, the midfielder said on Friday.

The 26-year-old signed for Leipzig in 2020, extending his contract until 2027 last year. He played 148 times for the team in all competitions, scoring 29 goals and winning the DFB-Pokal twice.

"A young club, a young player... We grew up, won our first trophies and made history together," Olmo said in a post on social media.

"Two Cups and the Super Cup are just some of the many unforgettable moments that'll always stay with me. Thank you, RB Leipzig, you'll forever be in my heart."

The versatile Olmo was a vital part of his country's Euro 2024 triumph and one of six Spain players in UEFA's team of the tournament.

Olmo is expected to sign for Barcelona, returning to the club where he spent seven years in the youth academy before joining Dinamo Zagreb aged 16.

Xavi Simons will return to RB Leipzig for 2024-25 after the Bundesliga side agreed another season-long loan deal with his parent club Paris Saint-Germain.

Simons enjoyed an impressive campaign on loan at Leipzig in 2023-24, contributing eight goals and 11 assists as Marco Rose's men finished fourth.

Bayer Leverkusen's Alex Grimaldo was the only player in the Bundesliga to better that latter figure, while only Kevin Stoger (127), Franck Honorat (89) and Julian Brandt (80) bettered his 79 chances created.

He was linked with the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich after returning to the French capital, but Leipzig have now moved to bring him back to Germany.

A statement from the club read: "Speculation surrounding Xavi's future can finally be put to rest, with the Netherlands international returning to the Red Bulls for the new season. 

"RB Leipzig will loan the 21-year-old from French giants Paris Saint-Germain for another year."

Simons could face his parent club in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, with Leipzig taking on PSG on home soil ahead of their DFB-Pokal clash with Essen one week later.

The Dutchman is the third signing made by Leipzig ahead of the 2024-25 season, following the acquisitions of goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt and midfielder Assan Ouedraogo.

Benjamin Sesko remains certain that staying at RB Leipzig is the "right decision" to develop his career after turning down reported Premier League interest.

Slovenia international Sesko joined Leipzig from RB Salzburg in 2023, scoring 14 league goals last campaign, a tally bettered by only seven players in the German top flight.

That form was said to have attracted Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea to the 21-year-old, who instead signed a new five-year contract with the Bundesliga club last month.

Having committed his future to life at the Red Bull Arena, the striker believes Leipzig will provide a platform for his progression.

"I thought it through very well," Sesko said to Nogomania, a Slovenian media outlet. "I believe I made the right decision. I wanted to gain more experience, learn more, and not rush things.

"Leipzig are an excellent club that can provide what I need for the next step. Leipzig's vision is clear; everything is geared towards growth, progress, and high goals. I felt it was right to decide this way."

Sesko's new deal could see him stay with Leipzig until 2029, with Marco Rose boasting one of the world's most exciting prospects up top.

The Leipzig attacker scored from 14 of his 47 shots last season in the league, a conversion rate of 29.8% – the third-best ratio in the 2023-24 Bundesliga among players to have managed at least five goals. 

That deadly finishing in front of goal will have Rose excited once more, and Sesko says his boss was key to the decision to stay.

"We talked," Sesko explained. "He told me he wanted me to stay but also said I should decide based on my feelings.

"He said if I felt I needed to move on, I should go, but if not, I should stay. He's an excellent coach who has led many great players.

"I'm glad I decided this way. I did it before the Euro to keep a clear head and focus entirely on the championship."

Dani Olmo has said he has several options ahead of a potential move from RB Leipzig after playing a starring role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph. 

Olmo scooped the Golden Boot at the European Championships while also helping La Roja triumph a record fourth time in the competition. 

His goal against France in their 2-1 semi-final victory saw him become the first Spanish player to score in three successive games at the Euros finals. 

Olmo's five goal involvements at Euro 2024 (three goals, two assists) is the most by a Spaniard at a major tournament since David Silva at Euro 2012 (two goals, three assists). 

The 26-year-old's form at the European Championships have seen him touted for a move in the transfer window, with Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich all potential destinations for the midfielder. 

The Spaniard joined RB Leipzig in 2020 from Dinamo Zagreb and has played 148 times for the Bundesliga club, scoring 29 goals and providing 34 assists in all competitions. 

Olmo has said he’s already made it clear to his representatives where he wants to play his football next season. 

"We'll see. Yesterday we celebrated all day and now I'm at the campus," Olmo told reporters.

"The people who deal with that (transfer market) already know what I want to do. I don't know if I'll stay in Germany, we'll see.

"I want to be somewhere where I'm valued and loved and what I want to do is win. There are several options, we'll see what happens.

"The truth is that between the Euro cup, the celebration and the campus I have seen little of that. What I want is an ambitious project and I want to win titles."

For now, the Spaniard is expected to take a short break before joining Marco Rose's side for pre-season.

The German club are set to travel abroad for pre-season for the first time in history as they will visit the US later this month, playing games against Aston Villa and Wolves.

Benjamin Sesko says "there's still a lot more to be done" at RB Leipzig after signing a new deal with the Bundesliga side.

The 21-year-old was linked with a move away from Red Bull Arena, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly interested in landing his signature.

However, the striker has put pen to paper on an extension to his existing contract, keeping him at the club until 2029.

Sesko, who arrived from Red Bull Salzburg on a five-year deal last July, scored 18 goals in 42 appearances during his debut season as he helped Leipzig to a fourth-place finish in Bundesliga.

And the Slovenia international, who is set to face England, Denmark and Serbia at Euro 2024, is thrilled to extend his stay with RBL.

"I had a good first year at Leipzig and am incredibly happy to be here," he told the club's official website. "[The] team, club, city, fans - the overall package is simply outstanding for me. The early contract extension was, therefore, the logical next step for me.

"Even though I didn't play or score as much in the first half of the season, this phase was very important for me and my development. I feel a lot of trust and appreciation throughout the club and that is crucial for being able to perform to my full potential.

"In the second half of the season in particular, I was able to give something back with my goals. We have a team with great potential and a balanced mix of young and experienced players. I'm really looking forward to taking the next steps with this team.

"We've already achieved a lot in my first season and often shown the amount of quality and outstanding football we can bring to the pitch. But there's still a lot more to be done, and that's now our common goal."

"Benji is one of our key players for the coming seasons and that is why the extension is a strong signal," sporting director Rouven Schroder added. "This also underlines our ambitions to be a permanent fixture in the Bundesliga and to be one of the top clubs in Europe.

"[He] embodies our DNA and playing philosophy perfectly. With the new contract, we can continue to drive our squad planning forward."

Ange Postecoglou has revealed Tottenham have a deadline if they want to make Timo Werner’s loan deal permanent.

The German joined Spurs on loan in January from RB Leipzig, scoring twice and assisting three goals in 14 matches in all competitions for the North London side.

However, Werner missed the last five games of Spurs’ season due to a hamstring injury he sustained against Arsenal.

Postecoglou admitted that he was relaxed about the situation, but whether a deal was made was out of his hands.

Speaking to reporters following their friendly in Melbourne against Newcastle United, Postecoglou said: "I think from our perspective, there's a deadline there.

"Again, a lot of that will depend on the negotiations between the clubs and how Timo feels.

"Again, from my perspective, I'm comfortable with that situation, and I'll let the other guys steer it to see what kind of outcome there is."

After a strong start to their season, Spurs eventually finished fifth in the Premier League, securing a place in the Europa League next season.

The Australian also believes the club need to bring more attacking players in as a priority to balance the higher workload next season after struggling with injuries this campaign.

"Yeah, absolutely. It's no secret [we need new forwards]. You saw the way we finished the season," he said.

"We obviously lost Richarlison and Timo Werner as well with injuries, but we're fairly light in that area.

"We started last season with Manor [Solomon] and [Ivan] Perisic, and we were quite healthy in that front third in terms of numbers, but as the year went on it became pretty evident that we needed to bulk up.

"We're in Europe as well next year, so we'll have more games, and it's definitely an area of the park we'll need to strengthen."

Andrej Kramaric scored a last-minute equaliser to deny RB Leipzig victory in Friday's 1-1 Bundesliga draw at Hoffenheim, in a game which saw Xavi Simons sent off.

Simons was shown his second yellow card with 18 minutes to play, with fourth-placed Leipzig 1-0 up courtesy of Benjamin Sesko's first-half header.

Marco Rose's team looked set to leapfrog Stuttgart into third ahead of Saturday's fixtures, but Kramaric – who had earlier been denied by a huge double save from Peter Gulasci – salvaged a point for the hosts with stoppage time mere seconds away.

While Leipzig missed the chance to move eight points clear of fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund, both teams will be playing Champions League football next season after Germany clinched a top-two place in UEFA's coefficient rankings this week.

Data Debrief: Flying full-back creates again 

David Raum assisted Sesko's opener with a pinpoint cross, the eighth goal he has teed up in the Bundesliga this season. Seven of those have been headers, a joint-high tally among all players, alongside Borussia Monchengladbach's Franck Honorat.

Champions League semi-finalists Borussia Dortmund suffered a crushing 4-1 Bundesliga defeat at the hands of RB Leipzig on Saturday, denting their hopes of a top-four finish.

Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho put Dortmund ahead after 20 minutes with a curling effort from the left corner of the box, but Edin Terzic's team couldn't hold on.

Lois Openda levelled within three minutes, and Benjamin Sesko pounced with a close-range finish to put Leipzig ahead on the stroke of half-time.

Mohamed Simakan made it 3-1 just one minute after the restart, then Christoph Baumgartner came off the bench to add a fourth with 10 minutes to play.

Dortmund, who host Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday, stay fifth, five points behind fourth-placed Leipzig.

They will likely have to wait on confirmation of Germany earning a fifth Champions League qualification place for next season, which was made more likely by a dismal set of results for England's clubs throughout the European quarter-finals earlier this month.

Data Debrief: Dynamic duo lead Leipzig to victory

Goals from Openda and Sesko ensured Leipzig turned Saturday's game around before the halfway point, both players netting in their fourth successive Bundesliga game together. 

They are the first pair of team-mates to achieve that feat since Dortmund's Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did so in February 2015.

Borussia Dortmund are bracing for their two most important matches of the season.

Saturday's game at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga is followed by a Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Paris-Saint Germain on May 1.

With the league title already wrapped up by runaway leaders Bayer Leverkusen, attention has shifted to the battle to qualify for the European competitions next season.

Dortmund's unexpected success in Europe has thrilled fans but the team's future in the continent's top club competition beyond this term could rest a lot on the result against Leipzig.

BVB are in fifth place on 57 points with Leipzig fourth on 59 and four games left in the campaign. The top four teams qualify for the Champions League group stage, although Germany is likely to earn a fifth spot as one of the top two in UEFA's coefficient table depending on the remaining results in European competition this season.

A Dortmund defeat against Leipzig would see them drift five points behind their rivals with three games remaining, so Edin Terzic's side are aiming to keep hot on their rivals' heels.

"It is a very important, decisive game against Leipzig," said Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck.

"They are our direct rivals and it is a big difference for us finishing fourth or fifth.

"We lost against them earlier in the season and now we want to win this. It is the fight for fourth place."

Dortmund conceded a last-gasp equaliser in last week's 1-1 draw against Leverkusen but have won five of their last seven league games, including a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich.

"It is extremely important for us to keep trying with 100 per cent to get that fourth place," said goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

"We cannot sit back and relax until we have achieved that. We must maintain focus and step on the gas."

RB Leipzig are determined to wrap up a top-four Bundesliga finish, despite fifth spot possibly earning a place in next season's Champions League, the club's chief business officer said on Thursday.

Leipzig, who host Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, are fourth on 59 points, two ahead of Dortmund with four games left in the season. A win would put the Saxony club firmly in the driving seat for a top-four finish.

The top four qualify automatically for the Champions League group stage, although Germany is likely to earn a fifth spot as one of the top two in UEFA's coefficient table depending on the remaining results in European competition this season.

"That (potential fifth spot) involves a lot of data and statistics," said Leipzig CBO Johann Plenge in a media call. "We are not spending too much time on this discussion."

"This is not something we take too much into consideration. We have the ambition to be a top-four club and to be that you have to finish in at least fourth place," he said.

Leipzig, who will go on a U.S. tour from July 28-Aug. 4 and will play Aston Villa in New Jersey, also competed in the Champions League this season, losing to Real Madrid 2-1 on aggregate in the round of 16.

"The match (against Dortmund) is extremely important. We are very focused and 100% confident we will give everything on the pitch," Plenge said.

"I think we have a very good situation to finish the season as a top-four club."

Plenge said for the new season the club planned to hold on to their top performers, unlike last year when several key players, including Josko Gvardiol, Dominik Szoboszlai, Christopher Nkunku and Konrad Laimer, left, forcing a big overhaul.

"We had a very intense transfer period last summer. We developed some great players [for] the Premier League. We want a less intense transfer period and to keep the players together," Plenge said.

"Having them in our team next season is what we will do in the summer."