Form: Closing in on the top
With 24 matchdays gone, second-placed Leipzig are just two points behind leaders Bayern Munich and have built up a cushion of 13 points from the first non-Champions League place.
Following a rather bumpy start to 2021 and a shock defeat to Mainz in late January, the Saxons have won six league games on the spin, beating Freiburg 3-0 away last weekend.
As well as being in the title race, Leipzig are in the semi-finals of the DFB Cup. Their European journey is over for another season, though, following two 2-0 defeats to Liverpool in the round of 16.
| Leipzig 2020/21 | |
|---|---|
| Stats | 16 wins, 5 draws, 3 defeats, 46:20 goal difference, 53 points, 2nd in the table |
| Form | W-W-W-W-W |
| Goalscorers | Nkunku (6), Forsberg (5), Poulsen (5), Sabitzer (5), Angelino (4), Orban (4), Dani Olmo (3), Mukiele (3), Sörloth (3), Halstenberg (2), Adams (1), Haidara (1), Kluivert (1), Konaté (1), Upamecano (1) |
Tactics: Variable and aggressive
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s side have demonstrated their tactical variability this season. They’ve had success with both a 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2 system, although for the most part they’ve played in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Leipzig have conceded just 20 goals, the fewest in the top flight, while they rank fourth for goals scored with 46. The Saxons are defined above all by their aggressive pressing and fast attacking transitions – it’s no coincidence that they’ve won the second-most challenges in the league (2,839).
One to watch: Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku came through the youth system at Paris Saint-Germain and was promoted to the first team in December 2015. In summer 2019 he moved to Leipzig, where he featured in 32 Bundesliga matches during his first year and posted an impressive 15 assists and five goals.
The attacking midfielder has again demonstrated his eye for goal this season. With six goals and five assists, he’s had the joint-most goal involvements for his team together with Dani Olmo.
