Form: Dangerous in attack, solid in defence
Leipzig have begun the new Bundesliga campaign brightly, with 16 points from their first seven games to occupy second in the table behind leaders Bayern Munich. Julian Nagelsmann’s side started 2020/21 with a run of four wins and a draw, before succumbing to their first defeat – a 1-0 reverse away to Borussia Mönchengladbach – on Matchday 6. They bounced back straight away, however, overcoming SC Freiburg 3-0 the following week.
In the Champions League, Leipzig won their first game 2-0 against Istanbul Basaksehir, but subsequently lost 5-0 away to Manchester United. A 2-1 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain has left Nagelsmann’s side second in their group but level on points with leaders United.
| Leipzig 2020/21 | |
|---|---|
| Stats | 5 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat, 15-4 goal difference, 16 points, 2nd in the table |
| Form | W-W-W-L-W |
| Goalscorers | Angelino (3), Forsberg (2), Poulsen (2), Sabitzer (2), Haidara (1), Halstenberg (1), Konate (1), Orban (1), Upamecano (1) |
Tactics: Flexibility aplenty
Leipzig have played with a variety of tactics this season, most recently operating in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The team from Saxony are compact in defence and have the meanest backline in the Bundesliga this term, with just four goals conceded to date. On Matchday 7, Angelino, Ibrahima Konaté, Willi Orban and Nordi Mukiele formed the four-man rearguard, with Kevin Kampl the man charged with shielding them from defensive midfield.
Nagelsmann has several options for the more advanced positions, with Amadou Haidara, Marcel Sabitzer, Emil Forsberg, Justin Kluivert, Christopher Nkunku, Dani Olmo and Tyler Adams all vying for places. Yussuf Poulsen started up front last time out, but Alexander Sörloth and Hee-Chan Hwang are also available up top.
One to watch: Angelino
Much of Leipzig’s success this term has been down to Angelino. The 1.71m full-back quickly established himself in the side following his loan move from Manchester City in January 2020 and is now a cornerstone of the team. The Spaniard has been in the starting line-up in all 11 competitive games in 2020/21 and has been Leipzig’s most dangerous attacking outlet with five goals and one assist, while his tally of three league goals is also better than any of his teammates.
“Our attacking style of play suits me a lot,” Angelino recently said in an interview with kicker. “I’m a lot more attacking than I used to be.” Furthermore, he has covered more ground than anyone else at Leipzig this season, racking up 74.74 kilometres.
