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RB Leipzig



2020/2021 season finally kicks off today for RBL with a trip to Nurnberg in the first round of the cup. Few injuries and lack of fitness so unsure on lineup. Nagelsmann wanted all transfers completed by today but that isn’t happening as they’re struggling to get Sørloth over the line.

Will be out of the house today so won’t know what’s happening till I’m home.

Game is LIVE on YOUTUBE 2.30pm KO

 
2021/2020 SEASON PREVIEW
​
Well here we go again, Bundesliga returns next weekend after a very short break due to COVID and the extended CL campaign. It was a disappointing second half of last season in the league where too many draws resulted in the club slipping from 1st to 3rd but the run to the Champions League semi-final was extremely impressive despite the poor show at the end. Whilst CL qualification is always the main goal of the club it's still a shame they couldn't at least overtake BVB - however considering Bayern won the CL as well it's no great surprise they won the league as well under Hansi Flick. There's been a lot of upheaval within the background at RBL and Red Bull in general but the important point is that Nagelsmann is still here and the squad is largely unchanged aside Werner whom everyone knew was going anyway. There wasn't really any pre-season friendlies besides one behind closed doors game as the final game of the 2019/20 season vs PSG (August 18th) was only 3 weeks ago so the squad, whilst maybe not fully fit, should be fairly match sharp compared to some of the other opponents.

Heading into the transfer window the club, due to COVID and FFP, only have around ~30m euros to spend so replacing Werner, trying to tie down loan signings and upgrading some thinner positions within the squad has proven very difficult so far. Besides Werner leaving for Chelsea @ 50m the club have only had to let two senior first team players leave on loan in the shape of miserable twins Hannes Wolf & Yvonne Mvogo (Gladbach and PSV respectively). Spain U21 international Josep Martinez, secured in January from Las Palmas, will go straight in as the Number 2 and has got some rave reviews in training thus far. Further to Martinez the club managed to secure loan signings for long-term target Beni Henrichs (Monaco) and Angelino returning from Man City - both with a purchase option. Han Chee Hwang was brought in from Salzburg for a cut-price fee to "replace" Werner as that nippy wide forward. The club still want to make 1-2 more signings but are really struggling to finance them now and look set to miss out on dream signing Milot Rashica. Recent talks with Crystal Palace's Alexander Sorloth look to be progressing with him possibly coming in to fill the role Patrick Schick performed last year. A CDM/CB is also desired but unless on loan isn't looking likely. Can't see anyone else leaving myself except maybe Chief Rat himself Ademola Lookman which won't be of any real loss.

DFB CUP​

The first official game of the season occured yesterday with a very routine 3-0 vitory away to Nurnberg in the DFB Cup 1st Round. There was some scintillating football played at times but the opposition didn't really put up much fight either. An unfortunate knock to Sabitzer will possibly sideline him against Mainz alongside long-term injured Konrad Laimer (knee surgery - 4 weeks). Debut goal & assist for Hwang was nice to see whislt we got even more tactical flexibility from Nagelsmann with Adams having a standout game as an auxiliary centre half. Poulsen came on to be a nuisance and grabbed a goal but his performance highlighted the clubs need to bring in a more technical big man like Sorloth.

It's pretty impossible at this stage to nail down what the "best XI" will be nor even the best formation as it's been a very long time since Nagelsmann had a fully fit squad to choose from. There was a hybrid 4-1-4-1 / 3-4-2-1 on show at Nurnberg but this may possibly change if the club can bring in another striker. It was impressive to watch though as the 4 behind Hwang were very fluid and Adams played diligently as a defensive midfielder out of possession before being a CB in possession.


lineup.webp lineup (1).webp


 
Sounds like the club have pulled out of the difficult negotiations for Alexander Sorloth (Spurs interested now too) and turning their attention to Milik. Always been a fan of him but not the best injury record.
 


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