Introducing opponents: RB Leipzig
Monday, September 5, 2022
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Shakhtar will open the Champions League group stage with match against German RB Leipzig
History and way to the UCL
RB Leipzig is the youngest club in the Champions League. Being formed in 2009, the club rapidly entered the German and European football elite (debut in Bundesliga was on 2016). The Red Bulls got their chance to play in the Champions League already in the first season. Though, they did not pass the group stage. But season 2019/20 became game-changing: the team reached 1/2 final in the Champions League under the management of Julian Nagelsmann.
The previous year was successful for the team as well: the Europa League semifinal, the conquered German Cup and 4th place in the championship making it possible to get to the main UCL round, group with Shakhtar.
Squad and leaders
RB Leipzig transfer policy tailored to cultivation and fast sale of young talented players found around the world thanks to Red Bull programme. The most significant contracts of the club are: transfers of Naby Keïta (EUR 60 mln) and Ibrahima Konate (EUR 40 mln) to Liverpool, Timo Werner (EUR 53 mln) to Chelsea, Dayot Upamecano (EUR 42.5 mln) to Bayern. RB Leipzig signed numerous contracts and made EUR 70 mln from transfers of 5 players: Tyler Adams to Leeds United, Hwang Hee-chan to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brian Brobbey to Ajax, Nordi Mukiele to PSG and Ademola Lookman to Atalanta. Herewith, the Bulls significantly changed their squad for the Champions League: they signed Hoffenheim’s leader David Raum for EUR 26 mln, brought back Timo Werner (EUR 20 mln), invited Wolfsburg’s midfielder Xaver Schlager (EUR 12 mln) and Heracles’s goalkeeper Janis Blaswich (free agent).
If we talk about tactics, RB Leipzig head coach Domenico Tedesco uses 3–5–2 scheme with different formation in the field centre. Optimum starting lineup of the team at the beginning of the season looks as follows: Gulacsi – Simakan, Orban, Halstenberg – Henrichs, Kampl, Raum, Laimer, Olmo – Werner, Nkunku.
Start on season 2022/23
RB Leipzig have already played 7 competitive matches. They started from defeat from Bayern (3-5) in the match for the German Super Cup, then there were draws in Bundesliga with Stuttgart (1-1) and Köln (2-2), defeat from Union (1-2) and the first win over Wolfsburg (2-0) only in round 4. They hammered Teutonia from the fourth league (8-0) in 1/32 final of the German Cup. Domenico Tedesco’s team defeated Eintracht (0-4) in the previous match before stat in the Champions League. Now RB Leipzig are 11th in the championship with 5 point in 5 rounds.
Match background
Shakhtar and RB Leipzig did not meet in competitive matches earlier. Herewith, the Bulls played against the Ukrainian team in the Eurocups only once: they got a difficult victory over Zorya Luhansk (3-2 and 0-0) in the Europa League qualification. But the Miners are experienced in playing against the German teams: they have 9 wins, 8 draws and 9 defeats in 26 matches.
RB Leipzig is the youngest club in the Champions League. Being formed in 2009, the club rapidly entered the German and European football elite (debut in Bundesliga was on 2016). The Red Bulls got their chance to play in the Champions League already in the first season. Though, they did not pass the group stage. But season 2019/20 became game-changing: the team reached 1/2 final in the Champions League under the management of Julian Nagelsmann.
The previous year was successful for the team as well: the Europa League semifinal, the conquered German Cup and 4th place in the championship making it possible to get to the main UCL round, group with Shakhtar.
Squad and leaders
RB Leipzig transfer policy tailored to cultivation and fast sale of young talented players found around the world thanks to Red Bull programme. The most significant contracts of the club are: transfers of Naby Keïta (EUR 60 mln) and Ibrahima Konate (EUR 40 mln) to Liverpool, Timo Werner (EUR 53 mln) to Chelsea, Dayot Upamecano (EUR 42.5 mln) to Bayern. RB Leipzig signed numerous contracts and made EUR 70 mln from transfers of 5 players: Tyler Adams to Leeds United, Hwang Hee-chan to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brian Brobbey to Ajax, Nordi Mukiele to PSG and Ademola Lookman to Atalanta. Herewith, the Bulls significantly changed their squad for the Champions League: they signed Hoffenheim’s leader David Raum for EUR 26 mln, brought back Timo Werner (EUR 20 mln), invited Wolfsburg’s midfielder Xaver Schlager (EUR 12 mln) and Heracles’s goalkeeper Janis Blaswich (free agent).
If we talk about tactics, RB Leipzig head coach Domenico Tedesco uses 3–5–2 scheme with different formation in the field centre. Optimum starting lineup of the team at the beginning of the season looks as follows: Gulacsi – Simakan, Orban, Halstenberg – Henrichs, Kampl, Raum, Laimer, Olmo – Werner, Nkunku.
Start on season 2022/23
RB Leipzig have already played 7 competitive matches. They started from defeat from Bayern (3-5) in the match for the German Super Cup, then there were draws in Bundesliga with Stuttgart (1-1) and Köln (2-2), defeat from Union (1-2) and the first win over Wolfsburg (2-0) only in round 4. They hammered Teutonia from the fourth league (8-0) in 1/32 final of the German Cup. Domenico Tedesco’s team defeated Eintracht (0-4) in the previous match before stat in the Champions League. Now RB Leipzig are 11th in the championship with 5 point in 5 rounds.
Match background
Shakhtar and RB Leipzig did not meet in competitive matches earlier. Herewith, the Bulls played against the Ukrainian team in the Eurocups only once: they got a difficult victory over Zorya Luhansk (3-2 and 0-0) in the Europa League qualification. But the Miners are experienced in playing against the German teams: they have 9 wins, 8 draws and 9 defeats in 26 matches.