Can RB Leipzig unseat Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga?

RB Leipzig have enjoyed a strong start to the Bundesliga season under new manager Julian Nagelsmann as the club attempt to become the first team in eight years to dislodge Bayern Munich as champions of the German top division.

Nagelsmann was one of the most-sought managers on the market after his brilliant two-and-a-half-year tenure with 1899 Hoffenheim. At the age of 28, he was the youngest manager in the history of the Bundesliga, assuming control of a struggling side. However, he turned the fortunes of Hoffenheim around immediately. Nagelsmann guided them to safety in 2016 before leading a charge to the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history in 2017.

The dual demands of the Champions League and the Bundesliga affected Hoffenheim’s performance, finishing ninth in the table after it was announced that Nagelsmann would be joining Leipzig. He now has the biggest challenge of his career, with the weight of expectations to deliver the German crown for the first time to the team that began life only 11 years ago.

 

Leipzig are backed in the Bundesliga betting odds at 8/1 to win the title, suggesting that it would be a surprise for Nagelsmann and his team to triumph. They have already proven their mettle with a strong start to the campaign, including a 1-1 draw against Bayern after trailing in the third minute to a strike from Robert Lewandowski. Emil Forsberg’s effort from the penalty spot earned his team a point, and although it was a solid result it was not quite the statement a victory over the champions would have meant for Leipzig to start the season with a real bang.

Their four victories have been impressive – notably beating Borussia Monchengladbach on the road. Timo Werner scored his first Bundesliga hat-trick to deliver the three points for his side. The 23-year-old has been excellent to start the term, notching five in five in the league. He could be the ace that Nagelsmann can build a surge for the title around. Lewandowski’s goals have been huge for Bayern in their dominance of the Bundesliga. If Werner can match the production of the Pole then Leipzig may have the firepower to at least take the title race late into the campaign.

There’s promising talent around Werner to ease the pressure. Marcel Sabitzer, Yussuf Poulsen, Patrik Schick and Ademola Lookman all have potency in the final third. They will need to come to the fore at crucial times in the season, although the early signs are promising.

Experience could be the vital factor down the stretch. Leipzig have a youthful team like their manager. A famous pundit was embarrassed when he said “you can’t win anything with kids”, when describing Manchester United’s famous youngsters that would go on to dominate the Premier League in the 1990s.

Leipzig have youth spread across the side, especially at the back when it can benefit to have cool calm heads. Ibrahima Konate, Nordi Mukiele, Lukas Klostermann and Konrad Laimer are all brimming with potential and have proven their quality thus far. However, when the pressure is on late in the campaign it could be the downfall for Leipzig’s hopes of unseating Bayern at the top as unfortunately, the champions are just that for a reason.