© Imago
To kick off the new Bundesliga season, FC Bayern face RB Leipzig – time for a closer look at the Saxony side. After an up-and-down previous campaign, in which Leipzig failed to qualify for Europe, the club appointed a new coach in Ole Werner. The squad has also undergone an overhaul over the summer, and they’ll be hoping that new players, a fresh style of play and an attacking mindset will make Die Roten Bullen a force to be reckoned with again this season. In our analysis, we take a look at the upcoming opponents' pre-season, transfers, possible line-up and tactics.
Pre-season
Before beating SV Sandhausen 4-2 in the first round of the DFB Cup on Saturday, RB Leipzig played five friendlies. The Saxony men enjoyed comfortable victories against Regionalliga outfit ZFC Meuselwitz (3-0) and French top-flight side Toulouse (7-0), but were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Italian Champions League representatives Atalanta. In a double-header against RC Lens, RB won 3-0 in the first encounter before losing 2-1 in the second.
Ole Werner began his coaching career in the Holstein Kiel youth setup – since this summer he's been on the touchline at RB Leipzig. | © Imago
On the whole, the team who finished seventh in the Bundesliga last season demonstrated a great goal threat during their summer preparations. Striker Loïs Openda stood out in particular: the 25-year-old Belgian netted five goals in as many games. After the training camp in Donaueschingen, Ole Werner gave an initial summary: “The counter-pressing and transitional play are already very well internalised. Our ideas in possession are also taking hold, but we still need to establish a few patterns there.”
Transfers
Having missed out on qualification for European football last season, the RB management made big changes over the summer. Werner, who previously spent four years in the dugout at SV Werder Bremen, took over the head coach position. Together with managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer, the 37-year-old has rebuilt the RB squad. With around two weeks until the end of the transfer window, seven new signings have already come through the door at Leipzig.
Yan Diomande has joined RBL from Spanish second-tier outfit CD Leganés. | © Imago
Defensive midfielder Arthur Vermeeren, 20, has signed permanently for Leipzig after spending last season on loan from Atlético Madrid. In Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven) and Yan Diomande (CD Leganés), RB have acquired two young, talented and pacey wingers. The versatile Brazilian Romulo, 23, has the task of plugging the gap up front left by Benjamin Šeško, who has joined Manchester United. They’re big boots to fill: the Slovenian striker’s 21 goals meant Leipzig still had a chance of a European place up until the final matchday of a disappointing season.
As well as Šeško, the experienced trio of goalkeeper Janis Blaswich (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Yussuf Poulsen (Hamburger SV) and André Silva (Elche CF) have departed the club this summer. Ilaix Moriba has moved to Celta Vigo having been playing on loan in La Liga since January 2022, save for a brief period. In return, 20-year-old Ezechiel Banzuzi (OH Leuven) and 18-year-old Andrija Maksimović (Red Star Belgrade) strengthen the RB midfield, while Die Roten Bullen have also snapped up talented left-back Max Finkgräfe, 21, from 1. FC Köln.
Line-up
Werner mostly stuck with a 4-3-3 system during pre-season, with one holding midfielder and two more attacking number eights. Veteran Péter Gulácsi, 35, will be the number one again this term. In front of him, defensive linchpin Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba form the centre-back pairing, with new captain David Raum (left) and Ridle Baku (right) the likely starters in the full-back positions.
Xaver Schlager has a good chance of starting the Bundesliga opener against FC Bayern. | © Imago
The defensive midfield spot looks set to be taken by either Vermeeren or Nicolas Seiwald, with Xavi Simons and Xaver Schlager providing the attacking drive and playmaker qualities in front. Leipzig’s front three comes with a lot of pace and goal threat: Openda is the first-choice centre-forward after his impressive displays in pre-season, while Antonia Nusa, Diomande and Bakayoko are the options out wide for Werner.
Style of play
Leipzig are expected to adopt a bold and attacking approach under Werner this season. Although Werner tended to play with a back three at Bremen, he prefers a classic but dynamic 4-3-3 system at Leipzig. The new boss has emphasised the importance of a clear, recognisable style: “We want to go out with aggression and ambition, and let the opponents know what it means to come up against RB Leipzig on the pitch.” That involves playing a high line and an aggressive press, forcing a lot of attacking turnovers in order to then be variable and flexible in build-up play.
Eyes always on the ball: "We'll convey a clear structure in possession to the team," announced Ole Werner when he took over. | © Imago
Within that, Werner places particular focus on structure in possession. The players know exactly which spaces should be occupied in certain situations, positional switches are pre-planned and create added variability. This new style of play differs from the club’s philosophy up to now, in which possession was never the top priority. During their most successful period under Ralf Rangnick, a 4-2-2-2 formation was the hallmark of RB football, but now Werner is relying on a combination of clear structure, dynamic position changes and brave, direct attacking play.
It’s a difficult task to start with for Bayern – and at the same time, an opportunity for the team to send out an early statement. Pack ma’s!
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