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Neil El Aynaoui and Leipzig Suffer Heavy Defeat in Champions League Opener

The Moroccan international played the full match as RB Leipzig endured a difficult night in Italy, falling to a 4-1 defeat against Como in their opening Champions League fixture.

By the Atlas Lions Editorial Desk11 Sept 2026How we report

RB Leipzig endured a difficult start to their UEFA Champions League campaign on Thursday, suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Como during their trip to Italy.

Moroccan international Neil El Aynaoui started the match and completed the full 90 minutes for the German side as Leipzig faced a challenging evening against their hosts.

A Difficult Night in Como

El Aynaoui worked throughout the match alongside his teammates as Leipzig battled to find a way back into the contest.

The Moroccan midfielder received a 6.4 rating for his overall performance, reflecting a solid individual contribution within a difficult team outing.

Defensive Challenges Continue

The result also highlighted Leipzig's recent defensive difficulties.

The German side have now conceded seven goals across their last two matches, following a 3-0 defeat against Werder Bremen at the weekend before Thursday's four-goal setback against Como.

The coaching staff will now look to use the upcoming fixtures as an opportunity to restore defensive stability and build momentum for the demanding Champions League campaign ahead.

El Aynaoui's European Journey Continues

For El Aynaoui, the Champions League represents another major opportunity to establish himself at the highest level of European football.

The Moroccan international remains an important part of Leipzig's midfield options, and the experience of competing on Europe's biggest club stage will only add to his development.

One difficult night cannot define a European campaign, and Leipzig will now turn the page with the determination to respond strongly in their next Champions League challenge.

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