Champions League: This Red Bull Clash Could Be A Licence To Thrill

RB Leipzig vs Olympique Lyonnais

Meetings between German and French teams have traditionally been exciting to watch.

Throw in the atmosphere of a Champions League night under the Red Bull Arena lights and we could be in for a treat.

Never mind that neither of these sides are among the favourites to contest the latter stages of the tournament – not according to the SBOBET Champions League betting odds.

There are plenty of reasons to be excited about this contest featuring some of Europe’s highly rated up and coming talent.

Talking Points

It’s no secret the Red Bulls have done well since the arrival of coach Julian Nagelsmann at the helm. The attacking trio of Marcel Sabitzer, Timo Werner, and Yussuf Poulsen have been instrumental to their strong start of the season.

Indeed, they’ve accounted for eight out of their 14 goals for this term and their chemistry is getting better as they go along.

That was until FC Schalke came to town in the Bundesliga at the weekend and recorded a 3-1 success to knock them off the top of the standings.

Perhaps Leipzig had half an eye on the visit of Lyon. Perhaps Lyon had one eye on this contest too – they went down 1-0 to home to surprise high-flyers Nantes in Lique One.

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UEFA – Champions League

Either way, both sides will be keen to return to winning ways and produce Champions League highlights.

Leipzig already have an advantage over their opponents in Group G.

That’s after two goals from Werner secured them an impressive win at Portuguese champions Benfica in their group opener.

Indeed, with Sabitzer acting primarily as the main playmaker, Nagelsmann has unlocked another dimension to his game with the likes of Werner and Poulsen freely roaming into the box for goals.

Werner has five goals in six career Champions League appearances, three more than any other player for Leipzig. Some pundits even say that if he constantly hits his potential, Leipzig may mount a serious title challenge back home.

Saturday aside, the Red Bulls’ defence also looks stronger after conceding only 29 goals last season.

Lyon are not in fine form, it must be said.

Third place in Lique One last season, they began the new campaign in scintillating style with 3-0 and 6-0 victories over Monaco and Angers respectively.

They have since gone seven without victory in all competitions – the club’s longest such run since an eight-game streak in 1996 and one which has left them in 11th place in the league.

Yet, there’s no denying they have their own attacking talent to watch out for.

Moussa Dembele has scored six goals and is currently the joint-top scorer in the league.

Meanwhile, strike partner Memphis Depay, who netted in their opening Champions League group game at home to Zenit St Petersburg a fortnight ago, is an exciting match winner on his day.

Memphis Depay scored an equaliser in Olympique Lyonnais' Champions League opener against Benfica — Memphis Depay in action during Olympique Lyonnais’ match against Nantes

The club also has experience of winning on some big European nights so a visit to Germany will certainly not faze them.

With sharp-shooters on show, sit back and enjoy this clash – it may not be one of the stand-out fixtures of the week but chances are it will be one of the most entertaining.

History

This is the first meeting between the clubs. It is only Leipzig’s fifth game against a French club. Their largest continental win to date came away at Monaco in November 2017 (4-1).

Lyon, in contrast, are in the same Champions League section as a German club for the second year in a row.This is their 16th Champions League group campaign – four more than any other French club – and fourth in five seasons.

The French club have lost only two of their last nine European away fixtures (won four, drawn three).

Nagelsmann faced Lyon twice last season while in charge of Hoffenheim, drawing 3-3 in France before a 2-2 draw at home.

Lyon have lost four of their last eight matches against Bundesliga opposition (won one, drawn three) and are without a win in four visits to Germany (drawn twice, lost twice).