Form Guide: RB Leipzig - the vilified franchise with a likeable side
It’s fair to say when RB Leipzig secured promotion to the Bundesliga with a game to spare last season, the celebrations were limited to those inside the Red Bull Arena as the side beat Karlsruher 2-0. The club is, after all, a product of the Red Bull franchise, formed just seven years ago bankrolled by the energy drink giant.
Their popularity within Germany is very low, with most of the belief that a more traditional route to the top is far more honourable. It’s at the top that the side find themselves now though, or at least as close to it as possible after a sensational start to their debut campaign in the top tier.
They remain unbeaten after eight matches of the season - one of only four sides in Europe’s top 5 leagues to do so, with three of those remarkably representing the Bundesliga - and on a three-match winning streak that has taken them to within two points and one place of leaders Bayern. Their record of 18 points from 8 is by far the best of any Bundesliga newcomer in history, and Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side are already coming good on the prediction of many that they would be an immediate force in the top-flight.
Earlier in the month the manager - appointed after a hugely successful spell with Ingolstadt ahead of the summer - looked to dampen the hype surrounding his side and offer a little perspective. "We don't see ourselves anywhere near making the Europa League yet – even if our young team are developing at a breathtaking speed,” was the assessment at the time, but six points from the two games since may yet be forcing the Austrian to revise his aspirations.
Indeed, while RB Leipzig generate real hostility from the German public at large, it’s hard not to admire the side that they have constructed and applaud the way in which they have executed their plans to date. As Hasenhüttl proclaimed, this is a young side, packed with potential and only headed in one direction. While they have had the advantage of vastly more wealth than their competitors en route to this point, the transfer policy has been commendable, with the long-term future at the forefront of the thinking throughout.
A look at the player ratings of the side in the Bundesliga highlights just how youthful this squad is, with each of the nine highest rated players aged 25 or under. There is experience in the spine of the team in the form of centre-back Marvin Compper, Stefan Ilsanker and captain Dominik Kaiser, but there’s no doubt that it’s the youngsters within the squad that are stealing the show.
Chief among them is Naby Keita (7.40 rating), who signed this summer from Red Bull’s other leading European side Salzburg in the summer, netting a brace in the most recent win over Werder Bremen. With one of those goals following a sensational solo run that started on the edge of the centre circle, his thrust from midfield has been crucial in recent weeks. Indeed, Keita’s all-action performances epitomise this team, averaging 1.2 shots and 1.8 dribbles per game, along with 2.3 tackles and 2.2 interceptions.
The Guinean international also scored the late winner in what remains the team’s most memorable victory over Dortmund, teed up by the club’s other marquee signing on that day Oli Burke, though it’s been a tougher start for the Scot. Since RB Leipzig broke their transfer record to sign the winger from Nottingham Forest, Hasenhüttl has accused Burke as having an ‘empty hard drive’ with regards to work off the ball. It wasn’t meant as a harsh criticism though, but an acceptance that the teenager has a way to go to be able to adapt to his way of thinking.
The Austrian has his side set up to play at great intensity, not only on the ball but off it. Gladbach boss Andre Schubert said of Leipzig’s style earlier in the season, “When they win the ball, they get it up the pitch very quickly – and when they lose it, they're right on top of you looking to get it back.” In that sense comparisons could be drawn with what Mauricio Pochettino has implemented to great effect at Tottenham, though Dortmund - particularly under Klopp - certainly seem an inspiration to this side.
There isn’t any great emphasis on possession though, averaging just 47.3%, but more so in using it quickly to get up the pitch and create chances against defences that haven’t been able to re-organise. An average of 6 shots on target per game is third to the Bundesliga’s ‘big two’, whilst only Bayern have conceded fewer on their own goal (8.6 per game). It’s their high press that is most abundantly clear in the stats though, winning possession in the attacking third over 30% more often than any other side (50 times) and ranking second to Leverkusen for possession won in the middle third (224).
As is often the case, when attempting to develop such a demanding approach young legs and minds are often key, making the club’s dealings in the transfer market all the more shrewd, with a level of joined up thinking to this project that could see the side become a regular fixture in domestic European competition. The likes of Emil Forsberg (25 years old), Yussuf Poulsen (22), Marcel Sabitzer (22), Davie Selke (21), Timo Werner (20) and indeed Burke (19) are all vying for attacking spots in the side, and at present the coach is managing his squad superbly. Rotation of said players is not only ensuring that spirits are kept high but helping the side to cope with the physical demands of Hasenhüttl’s ideals.
With a young but clearly capable defence, marshalled by the impressive 23-year old Willi Orban (7.11 rating), and attacking talent in abundance, RB Leipzig are here to stay, whether the neutrals in Germany like it or not. They may not be liked just yet, but they’re certainly likeable.
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