Just over a month ago, RB Leipzig were in the semi-finals of the Champions League, the biggest success to date in the very short history of the club. But there was not much time to review an impressive season. Just 25 days after the 3-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, the team from Saxony had another competitive match – in a new season. RB clocked up a convincing 3-0 win away to second division FC Nürnberg in the DFB Cup – and there was no slip-up for the top team in the Bundesliga opener. A dominant display led to a 3-1 victory over FSV Mainz 05 – a performance that underlines the great ambition of Julian Nagelsmann's team. "The way we played with such motivation today shows we’re ready to challenge again at the top of the table," declared confident playmaker Emil Forsberg. It is also the clearly defined aspiration of the club who were just one game away from a Champions League final.
"In a list of difficult transfers this is one that would be relatively high up," said sporting director Marcus Krösche. However, RB Leipzig were able to announce its completion on Tuesday: Alexander Sörloth has signed a five-year deal with RB Leipzig. The 1.95 metre tall central striker arrives from Turkish top-flight club Trabzonspor on the back of 24 goals from 34 games and he is considered to be a striker in demand across Europe. Whether the Norwegian will start up front against the Werkself just a few days after signing is doubtful with a substitute appearance more likely. If Sörloth does start at the BayArena then he could face his predecessor at the centre of the Leipzig attack: That position last season at RB was occupied by Patrik Schick who is now playing up front for the Werkself.
Sörloth is joined in Leipzig by a familiar face: Benjamin Henrichs who came in on loan in July and has come off the bench in the two competitive matches to date. The home-grown former Leverkusen player went through the ranks at Kurtekotten with all the junior teams from the U8s upwards before going on to make 76 appearances for the Werkself and making his debut for the national team. For the first time, he now faces the club where he spent a total of 14 years. The third notable summer signing is Hee-chan Hwang came from Salzburg who provided a goal and an assist in the cup game against Nürnberg in his first outing.
RB coach Julian Nagelsmann will definitely have to manage without three players against the Werkself: The Austrian Konrad Leimer, who was an incredibly important player last season in terms of balance in the game, is ruled out following a knee operation. Marcel Sabitzer is sidelined by a muscle injury. And the match comes too soon for central defender Ibrahima Konaté following a protracted hip injury.
The RB concept: Very many people have done an outstanding job in the club over recent years. Leipzig have attracted a large number of promising talents and also implemented a coherent playing philosophy that Ralf Rangnick developed and has now been raised to a new level by Julian Nagelsmann, one of the most promising young coaches in the world. From scouting through a worldwide network to the tactics of the first team: Everything slots into place at RB. The reward: the Champions League semi-final in August. That could very well just be the start.
It's not easy to replace a Timo Werner. The Germany striker scored 28 goals in the Bundesliga last term before – as with Kai Havertz – signing for Chelsea. As Patrik Schick (10 Bundesliga goals in 22 games) is now playing in the Werkself attack, RB are missing the two most prolific goalscorers from last season. Schick's departure should be compensated for by the introduction of Sörloth – but Werner? "We've brought in Hee-chan Hwang but obviously you can't replace Timo like for like," said Nagelsmann in an interview with Sport Bild in August. "We'll have to share out his goals and assists." Anything but an easy task for the RB coach. One thing is certain: With Werner's tempo and dynamism in counter-attacks, Leipzig will be missing an important element in their attacking game in future.
The big challenge to Bayern will probably be difficult for Leipzig to achieve given the dominance of the record champions and the departure of Werner. But the quality of the team is still extremely high. RB are definitely capable of having a similar run in the Champions League as they did last season – and a top three finish in the Bundesliga should again be realistic.
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