The club is undoubtedly already a Bundesliga power; and now Red Bull Leipzig has announced itself on the European stage, with a semi-final appearance in the 2020 Champions League.
This has been a helter-skelter journey for a club formed just 11 years ago following the Red Bull Corporation’s purchase of fifth tier club SSV Markranstadt. Leipzig isn’t the most popular club among rival fans, but in a fourth season in the top flight, the new boys of German football are already a fixture among the elite.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann was appointed at the beginning of the 2018/19 season, to begin his role a year later having finished his commitments at 1899 Hoffenheim. Still only 33 years of age, his first season in charge has seen Red Bull become genuine title contenders while he has emerged as one of the hottest managerial prospects in the game.
Bundesliga
A third placed finish for the second season in succession represents consolidation for die Roten Bullen; but Nagelsmann will want to go a step further in 2020/21.
They started the season with a thumping 0-4 victory away to FC Union Berlin and made it three wins on the run with a 1-3 win over title rivals Borussia Monchengladbach. Leipzig’s first defeat came on match day six when FC Schalke stunned Nagelsmann’s side with a 1-3 win at the Red Bull Arena.
Striker Timo Werner was constantly in the Bundesliga 2020 news as he pushed the prolific Robert Lewandowski hard for the Golden Boot, finishing with 28 goals, six behind Bayern’s striker and a full 11 ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho. And his goals fired Red Bull into a title contending position just as the COVID 19 pandemic hit and put an end to football for three months.
The powerful Bayern came back from the lockdown with all guns blazing, and left the chasing pack in its wake, though Leipzig continued to fight. But a 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the penultimate round of the season put an end to Red Bull’s hopes of finishing second. BVB’s Erling Braut Haaland highlighted the gap left in Nagelsmann’s attack by Werner, who had already departed for Chelsea. The big Norwegian plundered two goals while Red Bull struggled to puncture the BVB defence.
Midfielder Christopher Nkunku impressed with 13 assists, the joint third highest in the league, while 23 year old enforcer Konrad Laimer was a strong presence alongside him, but Nagelsmann needs a new striker.
Champions League
A last four appearance in Europe’s premier competition exceeded the club’s pre-season expectations, and combined with a top three Bundesliga season represents a real success and tangible progress. After winning Group G by a clear three points ahead of Lyon, Red Bull showed just how far they have come with a destruction of Premier League club Spurs, the 2019 Champions League finalists. Midfield ace Marcel Sabitzer scored a double in Leipzig as his side ran out 4-0 aggregate winners to secure a quarter-final place.
After seeing off La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, Leipzig’s European adventure came to an end in a 3-0 semi-final defeat to beaten finalists Paris Saint-Germain. It was a step too far for Nagelsmann’s team who came up against PSG’s Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in scintillating form.
What’s next?
Red Bull is in the chasing pack which must work out a way of stopping the mighty FC Bayern from winning a ninth successive Bundesliga next term. Borussia Dortmund and Leipzig have the best chances, but Werner’s move to Chelsea leaves Nagelsmann with a problem.
Danish striker Yussuf Poulsen has been a reliable name on the Red Bull team-sheet and his 57 goals in 209 appearances have been an important feature of the club’s progress.
Former Everton striker Ademola Lookman is yet to make a big impact but Leipzig fans will hope their first new arrival of the summer could be the man.
24 year old striker Hwang Hee-chan has been recruited from sister club Red Bull Saltzburg having impressed alongside Haaland in the Champions League, where he made three assists and scored three goals.
Keep an eye out for the Bundesliga 2020 betting odds here at SBOBET as the start of the next campaign draws nearer. Red Bull will start the 2020/21 season as third favourites behind FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund.
Nagelsmann has his work cut out, but he’ll be plotting a way to break into the top two, or even lift Red Bull’s first Bundesliga title at only the fifth time of asking.
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