Loan Report: Gruda in fine form as Leipzig hit five

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German has been in fine form during his return to the Bundesliga.

2026-03-23T11:00+00:00

Brajan Gruda is on loan with RB Leipzig for the second half of the season. 📸 by RB Leipzig.

Brajan Gruda was the architect of RB Leipzig’s crushing win over Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Friday night.

The Germany Under-21 international scored twice and assisted another in a 5-0 victory for his team, lifting Leipzig above their opponents and into a Champions League spot.

A first Bundesliga brace for Brajan (plus an assist) last night 😮‍💨👏#RBLTSG pic.twitter.com/36blbh5kTX
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) March 21, 2026

Over the border, Diego Coppola was also a provider as he teed up Paris FC’s opening goal in their 3-2 win over Le Havre. The result extends Paris’s unbeaten league run to five matches.

In Sweden, Melina Loeck kept a clean sheet as Hammarby Women reached the Women’s Swedish Cup final, beating Kristianstad 2-0 to secure their place in the final against Hacken.

1' Semin är igång! Matchhändelser hittar du som vanligt i 📲 Forza Bajen.

#KDFFHIF | 0-0 | #Bajen pic.twitter.com/GfgVo1dP7G
— Hammarby Fotboll (@hammarbyfotboll) March 20, 2026

Returning to these shores, Carl Rushworth kept a clean sheet in a comfortable 3-0 win for Coventry over Swansea, in which Malick Yalcouye came on for the final 30 minutes for the Swans.

Directly below the Sky Blues is where the drama appears to be developing. None of the three teams chasing the second automatic promotion spot won, with Jeremy Sarmiento coming on for the final 15 minutes of Middlesbrough’s goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers. Eiran Cashin enjoyed the third clean sheet of his Rovers career in that one.

Meanwhile, Tommy Watson was brought on for the final 10 minutes of Millwall’s 1-1 draw with fellow promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town. Those results see Boro, the Lions and the Tractor Boys separated by just two points, although Ipswich have a game in hand.

Birmingham’s first campaign back in the Championship has proved to be a successful year of consolidation, although James Beadle and Ibrahim Osman both started in a frustrating 1-0 defeat for the Blues to Derby.

In League One, Caylan Vickers started in Wigan’s vital 2-0 win over Exeter to move three points clear of the relegation zone, while Reading’s hunt for a play-off spot isn’t over despite a 1-0 loss to Stevenage. Kamari Doyle had scored in the Royals’ midweek 2-1 win against Burton Albion, but couldn’t carry on his form at the weekend.

It was also a weekend of frustration for Jacob Slater’s Harrogate, who were unable to back up their midweek 3-0 win over Tranmere, as they lost 1-0 to Oldham.