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LEIPZIG TO MARSCH ON

By Ratul Ghosh

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Peter Gulacsi, Jesse Marsch, Konrad Laimer

RB Leipzig are the typical new kid on the block. Having been taken over by the beverage giant Red Bull when they were in the fifth division, the club has seen its fortunes shoot up massively. Having roared through the lower divisions to the Bundesliga in just seven years, they made their first foray into the top-flight in 2016. Since then, they have finished runners-up twice and have become regular top-four contenders as well as making inroads into the Champions League.

 

NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN

Their former manager Julian Nagelsmann transformed the side into one of Europe’s most exciting, which thrilled audiences every season, and reached the semi-final of Europe’s premier competition in 2020. To achieve that feat in just their 11th year of existence is no mean thing.

 

With the departure of the charismatic manager this season after a disappointing loss to Borussia Dortmund in the final of the DFB-Pokal, Leipzig hired RB Salzburg’s head coach Jesse Marsch. The American had been hugely successful in winning honours in his homeland and Austria, the latter in a league which they dominated.

 

Taking on the might of German powerhouses is a slightly different task, however. Can the upstarts continue riding their supreme form or will they regress under a new head coach? It is too early to call right now but the Red Bull project has shown no signs of slowing down yet.

 

TRANSFERS TO BE KEY

Leipzig have already been hurt in the transfer market with some key sales. Young defender Ibrahim Konate left for Liverpool while centre-back Dayot Upacemano joined Bayern Munich. Talented Dutch winger Justin Kluivert left after the end of his loan spell.

 

These have been significant exits mainly because Leipzig do not change their core much. All these names had played extensively under Nagelsman which underlines their importance to the team. The Red Bull model depends on going after exciting talents who can develop into world-beaters. They know that letting go of players is inevitable since the club’s model depends on that.

 

However, they have been busy in strengthening themselves as well with some key acquisitions. Andre Silva, last season’s second-highest goalscorer in Bundesliga, joined for 25 million euros from Frankfurt. Ajax teenager Brian Brobbey has also signed up for Die Roten Bullen while Czech defender Josko Gvardiol will finally get his chance. The main worry remains centered around key pieces Marcel Sabitzer and Emil Forsberg.

 

The Swede, Forsberg, in particular, had a brilliant Euro 2020 campaign and could fetch a few offers from around Europe. Nevertheless, Marsch has a supremely talented and upcoming squad that can keep their position among the upper echelons of the table. If they can bring in a few more players which is entirely likely, the chances of a top-three finish will be solidified further.

 

SCORE MORE, CONCEDE LESS

Nagelsmann had been considered by many as developing the team into one that others would not like to face. Though they finished 13 points adrift of the Bavarians in second place, they had the fewest goals conceded with 32. That spoke volumes of the German manager’s supremely efficient defence which is now shorn of its two key leaders.

 

Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi has been a stalwart in goal who kept 15 clean sheets and has been with the club since 2015. On the flip side of this, they also scored the fewest goals in the top five with no player entering double digits in the league. The highest scorer was captain Sabitzer with eight goals.

 

That has certainly influenced their thinking in getting Silva who netted 28 goals last term in his hottest season ever. The Portuguese will certainly be a key man who will have plenty of help behind him. Dani Olmo (five goals, nine assists), Christopher Nkunku (six goals, six assists) along with others are all creative playmakers filled with technical skills. They will be key in Leipzig turning into a scoring machine at a rapid pace which they have in abundance.

Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku celebrates after scoring. Image credits: bundesliga.com

 

Furthermore, their wing-backs are known to constantly get forward and attack which Marsch will utilise to the maximum. Challenging for the title is a constant goal for Die Roten Bullen which the owners would like to achieve as soon as possible. Marsch knows that he must improve upon Nagelsmann’s work whose shadow will loom large.

 

However, it is not like Marsch is new to a pressure environment or the Red Bull setup. He knows what the demands are, how intense the competition will be. That last part is a key facet of the Bundesliga nowadays. Apart from Bayern, there is intense fighting over the remaining places. Nobody knows that better than Leipzig themselves, who were only a point ahead of Dortmund in the final standings.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

It is no secret that Leipzig are one of the most passionately hated clubs in Germany. Due to their corporate ownership and parachuting ways to success, Marsch will have to handle this off-field cauldron well. Ultimately it will be their results that speak for themselves and there is nothing yet to suggest they cannot progress more.

 

The Champions League will also throw up a new kind of challenge and they are known to cause the traditional big guns all sorts of problems. If Leipzig continue their rampaging ways, there is little doubt that silverware beckons very soon.

Ratul Ghosh
His name means Red and a fan of devilish food, which equals to his favourite team being Manchester United. Can be found sleeping or in front of the TV otherwise. Hates waking up early but loves staying up late for football.

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