On Friday night, RB Leipzig recorded a 3-1 win at Monchengladbach to move to the top of the Bundesliga table. The visitor’s hero was once again Germany international striker Timo Werner, who bagged himself a hat-trick.
The visitors were cruising for much of the game until a late goal from the home side through Breel Embolo made it a nervous finish for the visitors. However, that hope was short-lived, as Werner produced another clinical finish to wrap up the points.
Nagelsmann and RB Leipzig the perfect match
On paper and on the football field, head coach Julian Nagelsmann and RB Leipzig are the perfect match. He is one of the most highly-rated young coaches in the European game, while RB Leipzig are highly ambitious.
Former boss Ralph Hasenhuttl had a big influence on the team’s attacking style of football. The now-Southampton boss helped the club to the Bundesliga with the philosophy and to runners-up spot in their second season in the German top-flight before his exit in 2018.
Ralf Rangnick carried on in a similar vein last season after also proceeding Hasenhuttl as RB Leipzig boss. Nagelsmann has a similar football philosophy, which he maintained throughout his time as boss of minnows Hoffenheim. The 32-year-old coaching prodigy help Hoffenheim overperform during his three years in charge.
There are high expectations for Nagelsmann. He is expected to become a uber-coach in the future, with many talking him up as a prospective Bayern Munich coach. He would challenge for the title in Bavaria, but judging by Leipzig’s start he may not have to wait long to challenge for a Bundesliga title challenge.
Werner has started the season on fire
Timo Werner is regarded as the next potential German superstar. However, fans of Die Mannschaft have become critically of the 23-year-old. The forward does not seem to be everybody’s cup of tea.
It is hard to argue with his goalscoring record for Leipzig. The former Stuttgart forward has scored 55 goals in 95 Bundesliga appearances for his current club. Werner has already scored five times in the German top-flight this season. He has looked highly clinical in his three league starts.
The striker future with RB Leipzig was in doubt, as his contract expired next summer. However, he recently a contract extension. In reality, the contract extension is only protection for RB Leipzig losing the forward for no fee.
He is still likely to attract interest from other clubs next summer, especially in his current form. According to German news outlet Kicker, Werner has a release clause of just €30million. If that’s true, then the forward could be a real bargain for a club next summer.
RB Leipzig dangerous outsiders for the Bundesliga title
Bayern Munich have been the dominant force of the Bundesliga for what seems like forever. The only team that has come near them on a regular basis is arch-rivals Dortmund.
RB Leipzig enjoyed that one season of finishing second, but in truth, Bayern still won the title in relative comfortable manner that season. BVB once again look like they could be the biggest threat to the Bavarians title defence.
However, RB Leipzig are dangerous outsiders for the title. It is not just the manner in which they have started the campaign. It is the fact that Leipzig have quality players and a very talented head coach to guide them.
This season could be the one that RB Leipzig move up to the next level in the Bundesliga and really shock Germany’s big two.
Are RB Leipzig realistic challengers for the Bundesliga title this season?
