What a euphoria there was at RB Leipzig after winning the DFB Cup! The memories of the friendly against Liverpool (0:5) and the Supercup against Bayern (3:5) are currently creating goosebumps. Of course, the fans are still hungry for a second big title, but so is the fear of an at best mediocre season.
RB Leipzig has had a memorable season. In the one lost the goal of the season (Fourth place in the Bundesliga) temporarily out of sight, but everything was fine in the end: As a DFB Cup winner (5:3 nE against Freiburg) and with a ticket for the Champions League in their pockets, Nkunku & Co. were able to tick off the past season as “successful”.
It didn’t really look like that at the beginning of December. Accordingly ended after 8 wins, 4 draws and 9 defeats (1.25 points per game) before Christmas, the short tenure of coach Jesse Marsch, who was only hired in the summer. Successor Domenico Tedesco (19/6/5; 2.1 points per game) not only succeeded in turning the tide, but also in RB Leipzig’s first ever (national) title win.
Exulted and saddened to death
There were furious successes and unnecessary bankruptcies at almost all of the four weddings where RB danced. Also under Tedesco. The most blatant rashes in the Bundesliga were those Home defeats against Bielefeld (0:2) and Union Berlin (1:2) as well as the 4:1 triumph at Borussia Dortmund. In the Champions League they learned the hard way against PSG and ManCity, but at least secured third place in the group and were allowed to continue in the Europa League.
There, in turn, there were nice away wins against San Sebastian and Bergamoa bye (Spartak Moscow), but also a depressing finish in the semis against far from overwhelming Glasgow Rangers. RB only showed consistency in terms of results and, above all, footballing in the DFB Cup. Four solid appearances were followed by a euphoric last-minute goal in the semifinals against Union Berlin and the final triumph against Freiburg outnumbered.
stay and go
Whether the ups and downs of Leipzig will continue in the new season is of course a matter of interpretation. The fact that the core of the team could be kept together speaks for somewhat more constant performances. Even the one that caused a stir internationally Top scorer Christopher Nkunku decided to extend his contract. On the other hand: The transfer window is not yet closed. And the one who played a key role in various successes Konrad Laimer continues to wink at the anything but averse FC Bayern. His change before the end of the contract in 2023 is still possible until September 1st and probably only depends on the record champions’ willingness to pay – that of the people of Leipzig in the Supercup has shown before or once more where the hammer hangs.
An already established gap is torn Departure from Nordi Mukiele to PSG. The performances of the 24-year-old Frenchman were anything but flooded with light all year round, but without him the right-back with Benjamin Henrichs, who flourished under Tedesco, is now only occupied once instead of twice. Most sports directors – RB is currently still without such an official – would probably have rejected the change from Mukiele under the current conditions.
Difficult concept to understand
It is also difficult to understand the squad planning of lawn ball sports without a sports director elsewhere. There was broad agreement only with the Signing Xaver Schlager (VfL Wolfsburg). The Austrian will complement his compatriot Konrad Laimer in midfield – or just replace it. The personnel, on the other hand, is somewhat puzzling David Raum. The left winger is a national player and always worth considering, but will hardly complement Angelino, but rather push him into the second row and from Leipzig by winter at the latest. Quarrels with announcement.
The rumored ones also generate skepticism Efforts to get Timo Werner back. It is questionable whether the ex-Leipziger, who is somewhat dissatisfied at Chelsea, still fits into the long-changed RB system. There is also the fact that Werner would probably break the salary structure in the team. In any case, there are no bright eyes even in Domenico Tedesco. “I’m happy with the squad,” he said just under a week ago. His offensive is not an emergency.
Many small gaps in the squad
Tedesco’s team could still use reinforcements if Bayern or BVB are to be put under serious pressure. For example in defensive midfield, especially since Kevin Kampl is getting on in years and prone to injury. Or in central defence, which is rather tight with Willi Orban, Mohamed Simakan, Lukas Klostermann and Josko Gvardiol, who is still not fit. Or in attacking midfield, since Dani Olmo shines primarily in the Spanish national jersey. Or even on the offensive, because it looks rather poor in terms of speed as soon as the opponent takes Christopher Nkunku out of the game.
Fourth in the back?
There are also question marks behind the game idea of head coach Domenico Tedesco, who relies on ball possession and ball control instead of fast vertical play. What massive problems that can bring with the current squad Liverpool and Bayern showed well recently. Playing behind the scenes was very destructive, especially against the English, because Leipzig’s midfield was more like a black hole and the offensive was up in the air.
No question, RB Leipzig will play at the top again in the 2022/23 season. But at the top? That would be surprising given the current squad. And so it will again “only” be about fourth place in the table. A David Raum or even a Timo Werner won’t really change that.
