Bundesliga side RB Leipzig lie in wait for Celtic on match days three and four of the Champions League group stage.

After defeat to Real Madrid and a one-all draw with Shakhtar Donetsk, the Hoops will be aiming to add to their solitary group F point over two ties with the East German side, the first of which will be away from home on Wednesday. 

As we have done with all of Celtic’s Champions League opponents thus far, we’ll be taking a delve into RB Leipzig in this piece by examining the club’s background, their recent form and one or two players to keep your eye on over the next two matches. Without further ado, let’s begin. 

Club background

Unlike Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk, it is fair to say RB Leipzig lack any real history. 

Fifth tier side SSV Markranstaedt were taken over by Red Bull in 2009 with the newly formed RB Leipzig proceeding to rise through the divisions in Germany, finishing second in their first Bundesliga season in 2015/16. 

And in the past few campaigns, they have managed to keep up consistency in their final placings in Germany’s top tier, coming third, second and fourth respectively in the last three seasons. 

Moreover, RB Leipzig were able to add the first piece of major silverware to their trophy cabinet in 2021/22. In the DFB Pokal (German Cup) final in Berlin against Freiburg, a penalty shootout was enough for the club to take the trophy back to East Germany. 

On the continent in recent years, it is fair to say Leipzig have given a respectable account of themselves. In 2019/20, they got to the semi-finals of the Champions League before being defeated by PSG in a single leg tie. They reached the last sixteen the next season and in 2021/22, they got to the semis of the Europa League although were defeated by eventual runners up Rangers. 

Clearly, the German side have been a reputable European outfit in the past few campaigns and this has been the case in terms of player development also. Timo Werner, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate, Matheus Cunha and Marcel Sabitzer all now turn out for top clubs with RB Leipzig selling the quintet for a combined £151.65m in the past two and a bit years. 

Now that we’ve learned about the rather short history of RB Leipzig, let’s take a look at how they’ve got on in recent times. 

Recent form

In the Bundesliga in 2022/23, RB Leipzig currently sit a measly 11th in the table. 

They have also played 12 competitive games in all competitions up to this point but have won just four. These wins came against Wolfsburg, Borussia Dortmund and Bochum in the league with an 8-0 thrashing of fourth tier side Teutonia Ottenssen in the cup completing the quartet. 

In their wins, Leipzig have showed signs of brilliance in attack although so far this campaign, they have conceded an average of 1.9 goals per game so there is nothing to say Celtic cannot go to Germany and score.

Moreover, RB Leipzig have suffered some embarrassing defeats in 2022/23 so far. They lost 5-3 to Bayern Munich in the German Super Cup with back to back beatings at the hands of Frankfurt (4-0 away) and Shakhtar Donetsk (4-1 at home) being the final nail in the coffin for previous manager Domenico Tedesco back at the beginning of September. 

Just a few days after Tedesco’s sacking, Marco Rose was appointed new Leipzig boss and got off to a flyer, winning 3-0 against his former club Borussia Dortmund although his new team would suffer defeats to Real Madrid and Borussia Monchengladbach following this. 

Albeit they recovered against Bochum at the weekend, winning 4-0, it is fair to say Rose, who managed RB Salzburg against Celtic in the Europa League in 2018, has got off to a mixed start in his new post.

Now that we’ve looked at how RB Leipzig have got on so far this season, let’s now look at a player you should keep an eye on in Wednesday night’s tie. 

One to watch – Christopher Nkunku

After an outstanding 2021/22 season in which he scored 35 goals and set up 20, Christopher Nkunku signed a new two year contract extension at RB Leipzig over the summer. 

Despite this, it has come out in the past week or so that Nkunku could be on his way out of Leipzig in January. Reports state he may be on the move to Chelsea with personal terms already agreed. 

The fact one of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ is in for Nkunku goes to show how talented a player he is. 

Moreover, it is fair to say the eight time capped French international is somewhat of a talisman for his club and this season, Nkunku has started with prosperity, netting eight goals and assisting one in 12 appearances in all competitions so far. 

A versatile frontman who can play on the left, right, through the middle or even slightly deeper in behind the striker or as far back as central midfield, some of the 24 year old’s key attributes include his tricky dribbling and illusive ball carrying, ample ability to the link the play as well as a ferocious finish. 

These are all talents Nkunku will be aiming to disclose on Wednesday evening, particularly against a Celtic defence which looks as though it could be slightly weakened and shaky. 

Along with Nkunku, Timo Werner is a Leipzig frontman who could cause the Hoops issues over the next week with the German forward netting six goals in all competitions since returning to his former club from Chelsea this summer. 

Even still, Christopher Nkunku still remains the foremost threat but 26 year old Werner could be a thorn in the side of Celtic’s backline nevertheless. 

Rounding off

There is no question that Celtic’s tie with RB Leipzig will be the club’s toughest on the road so far this season. 

The Hoops have never won on German soil in their 134 year history although Ange Postecoglou will have aspirations to put this record straight at 5.45pm on Wednesday evening.W

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