Our next opponents: Leipzig 'more modern than PSG'

Position

Time needed to settle in? Not at all. Julian Nagelsmann has almost made a perfect start with his new employers. RB Leipzig were top the table until last weekend. That spot has gone: After four wins plus a draw with FC Bayern, the team from Saxony suffered their first defeat of the season against Schalke 04 with a somewhat surprising 3-1 reverse last Saturday. The first slip of the season was quickly followed by the next: RB lost 2-1 at home to French side Olympique Lyon on Wednesday night. Leipzig are now away to Bayer 04 – and the Nagelsmann team have an incredibly impressive record on the road this term: three games, nine points, ten goals for and one against plus an away win in the Champions League at Portuguese champions Benfica, supposedly the strongest opponents in the group.

Personnel

Nagelsmann brought his typical 3-3-2-2 system with him from Hoffenheim although the 32-year-old RB coach occasionally plays 4-4-2 as was preferred by his predecessor Ralf Rangnick. Based on his squad's enormous strength in depth, Nagelsmann can afford to be flexible tactically as he has high quality options for all the roles in both systems. What's the difference at Leipzig under Nagelsmann compared with Leipzig under Rangnick? "We now have better options with the ball than in previous years," said midfielder Diego Demme in a recent interview with kicker. But that also requires the right players: Leipzig are very good on the ball in midfield and long-term injury Emil Forsberg is again available bringing a lot of creativity to the attack. The Austrian Marcel Sabitzer (pictured above) is on top of his game at the moment and he now clearly plays a key role in Nagelsmann's 3-3-2-2 system – and that suits him very well. Sabitzer has scored two goals and provided three assists so far and has made a distinct impression on the "new" RB. Nagelsmann, who managed the two Werkself players Nadiem Amiri and Kerem Demirbay last season, is unable to call on the only former Leverkusen player in his squad: Kevin Kampl, brought through the ranks at Bayer 04 and in the first team squad from 2015 to 2017, misses a return to the BayArena due to an ankle injury. Otherwise, Nagelsmann is only missing new signing Hannes Wolf who has yet to play for Leipzig due to a broken ankle suffered at the U21 European Championships.

problems

The Saxons have not had many to date. The only drawbacks so far have been individual errors with missed clear-cut opportunities and defensive mistakes. As against Schalke when Marcel Halstenberg who was unable to prevent the ball being headed on from a corner for the first goal and Amadou Haidara who gave away a penalty for the second. And, as against Lyon, both goals conceded were preceded by serious errors, first from Ibrahima Konaté, then Dayot Upamecano and finally Nordi Mukiele.

PotenTial

"More modern and further developed than Paris Saint Germain" – the assessment from new signing Christopher Nkunku in the France Football magazine talking about the infrastructure at RB Leipzig speaks volumes. At the team currently lying second in the Bundesliga, professionalism is evident at all levels with opportunities for players and coaches at times putting top European clubs like PSG in the shadows. That's one reason why Leipzig continue to be able to attract top talents from across Europe and beyond. That applies to the 21-year-old Nkunku, who joined Leipzig from PSG on loan in the summer, as well as Haidara (21), Wolf (20), Tyler Adams (20) plus the two central defenders Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano, who are both regular first choices in the RB defence at the age of 20. That not only gives Leipzig strength in depth but also outstanding prospects for the future.

Prediction

Over the last ten years, RB have set up the conditions to play an outstanding part in the game and not just in Germany. Now Leipzig have one of the most sought-after young coaches in Europe in Nagelsmann who has a modern approach with his philosophy and knows how to further develop his team. Also, taking account of the financial and infrastructure opportunities then there is a rosy future for the Saxons. And there is plenty to play for this season: Leipzig could provide stiff opposition for FC Bayern in the title race and it would also be no surprise if RB progress from the group stage in the Champions League.