The Red Bull football factory has been a revolutionary operation, that has changed the game with training methods and recruitment policies. Ralf Rangnick, now interim manager at Manchester Utd, is the man responsible for the Red Bull rise within countries such as Austria with Salzburg and in Germany with Bundesliga clubs such as Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig with gegenpressing. RB Leipzig has quickly climbed the footballing ladder since they were established in 2009, with them finishing second with Ralph Hasenhüttl, now managing in the Premier League. In addition to their second-place finish within their first season in the German top flight, in 2019, the newly formed club got as far as the semi-final in the UEFA Champions League.
The term ‘Red Bull factory’ is not a form of marketing or fancy wordplay; this term regarding Red Bull should be taken quite literally as many players have followed a very similar pathway to success. A player such as Tyler Adams, Amadou Haidara, Dayot Upamecano, now at Bayern Munich and Konrad Laimer. All players mentioned have played for New York Red Bulls or Red Bull Salzburg before making the switch to the big leagues of football. This transition from club to club is not solely exclusive to players only as now managers are moving up the rank, non-other than, Jesse Marsch who brought success to his previous teams.
Excitement grew as the American manager was set as RB Leipzig head coach, but Marsch has not met the expectations that were set from the outside world. Entering their game against Union Berlin, RB Leipzig placed ninth in the Bundesliga, with their chances of progressing in the Champions leagues already over before the last game of the group. To make matters worse, Jesse Marsch and his coaching staff came down with a case of covid 19 and could not attend their Friday night match-up. As Leipzig struggles continue, Union Berlin has never been better, with manager Urs Fischer at the helm.
This tactical analysis with cover Union Berlin’s crazy first 20 minutes, while also going over Leipzig’s possession pros and cons. Lastly, will be discussing Berlin’s effective counterattacking.
Line-up
Union Berlin made use of a 3-4-1-2 with Andreas Luthe in goal. In defence, Julian Ryerson and Niko Gießelmann as wingbacks, with, Marvin Friedrich, Robin Knoche and Timo Baumgartl at centre-back. Union’s midfield two consisted of, Rani Khedira and Grischa Prömel. Up-front, Max Kruse, Sheraldo Becker and Taiwo Awoniyi
For this game, RB Leipzig tactical switch from their previous outing, as they lined up using a 3-4-3. In goal, Péter Gulácsi. A back three made up of Joško Gvardiol, Lukas Klostermann and Nordi Mukiele, with Benjamin Henrichs and Angeliño as wingbacks. In midfield, Konrad Laimer and Tyler Adams, in addition to Dominik Szoboszlai, Christopher Nkunku and André Silva, formed the attacking trident.
Union’s First 20 Minutes.
The opening passages of this game were quite hectic, to say the least, as Union managed to score the opening goal of the game with a well-worked set-piece in the fifth minute. Union initiated this corner by Sheraldo Becker playing the ball short to Max Kruse who was nearby as a support option.
As Max Kruse picks up the ball for the short corner, Julian Ryerson is within proximity, and with him close by, Union now has created a 3v2 Leipzig’s Angeliño and Dominik Szoboszlai as they tried to press and create pressure.
