There is only one certainty in football which probably also applies in most aspects of everyday life: as quickly as you may rise, it can be even faster when the time comes to tumble fall down.
And when your progress is a meteoric as that experienced by Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig, the chances of sustaining it long-term must be slim.
RB Leipzig’s rise in German football has been a remarkable story, and their impact has been felt throughout the country. Indeed, it is a rise which has been met with both admiration and criticism.
Some see them as a refreshing new addition to German football, while others view them as a symbol of everything that’s wrong with modern football and a threat to the integrity of the sport.
Whatever your opinion, there’s no denying that their success has been significant and has challenged the traditional power structures of German football.
Their history began as recently as 2009 when the Austrian energy drink company Red Bull acquired the playing rights of fifth-tier German side SSV Markranstädt. They rebranded the team as RB Leipzig and their journey began.
Various promotions followed and, in 2015, after just one season in the 2. Bundesliga, RB Leipzig won promotion to the top flight where they have since established themselves as a top team.
The investment from Red Bull has been crucial and has allowed them to attract top players and coaches, as well as invest in state-of-the-art training facilities and a modern stadium. The club has also made strategic acquisitions, such as the signing of sporting director Ralf Rangnick, who helped build the team’s foundation for success.
While the investment from Red Bull has undoubtedly helped RB Leipzig, the team’s success cannot be solely attributed to money. They have also built a strong team culture and developed an innovative playing style that has made them a formidable opponent for any team in Europe.
Built on a combination of shrewd investments, smart recruitment and an innovative playing style, that mix of strong squad, talented coaching staff and Red Bull backing, should mean they have all the ingredients for continued success.
As we look to the future though, how much longer can they remain a force to be reckoned with? How much longer will the SBOTOP Bundesliga 2024 betting odds back them to stay among the front runners of German football?
For while the club which enjoyed back-to-back German Cup wins and delivered plenty of Bundesliga highlights along the way, continues to go toe-to-toe with the big boys, it is getting harder.
Just take a look at this list of the players they have had to sell in recent years: – Josko Gvardiol, Christopher Nkunku, Naby Keïta, Dani Olmo, Timo Werner, Ibrahima Konate, and Dayot Upamecano to list just seven.
Just imagine what a team they could have if they had held onto such half of those names.
That is the reality facing manager Marco Rose whose position is reportedly under threat unless matters improve.
A late 4-3 Bundesliga defeat at Hoffenheim over the weekend exacerbated that.
So did a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night which means they are still without a single point on the board and facing an early Euro exit
Domestically, it was only a month ago that Leipzig were level on points with leaders Bayern Munich. They are now are eight points behind the Bavarians (albeit still in third place) – that is perhaps not entirely disconnected with the injury to Xavi Simons.
There are reasons to be optimistic though.
They have overcome the loss of key men before and have once again continued to develop new talent in their place.
The no-nonsense leadership and aerial prowess of captain Willi Orbán has provided a string platform for the side from Saxony, while Austrian international Christoph Baumgartner – in the absence of playmaker Simons who is likely to be out for another several weeks following surgery on an ankle ligament injury – has been impressive when asked to fill the breach.
With a steely defence and an array of incisive attacking talent, RB Leipzig should be glad of what they have and back Rose, rather than constantly expect miracles when they sell their many of their top stars with each passing year.
Whether that happens remains to be seen but perspective is required.
Remember, the club did not even exist this time 16 years ago.
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