RB Leipzig Vs Bayer Leverkusen [1–3] – Bundesliga 2025/2026: How Kasper Hjulmand Tactics Won Out – Tactical Analysis

The Bundesliga title race is rather dull, if we are being honest; Bayern Munich and Vincent Kompany are already running away with the title.

Behind FC Bayern, there is a vast power struggle about who is number two in German football at the moment.

The three key players in this race are Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Bayer Leverkusen.

After Dortmunds win to start the last matchday before the Christmas break, the game between RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen became even more important than it already was.

RB Leipzig have been going through a recovery season after missing out on European football for the first time since their promotion last season.

Ole Werner and his men went on an impressive run at the beginning of the season, but have recently cooled off, winning only two of their last five games, though those wins were very convincing.

On the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen was the clear number two in Germany last season under Xabi Alonso.

Still, after a massive rebuild in the summer and an early coaching change after just two matchdays, the team struggled to start the season, but quickly turned things around under new coach Kasper Hjulmand.

In the end, Leverkusen won the away game in Leipzig 1-3, deservedly so.

In this RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen tactical analysis, we will examine the tactics used by Ole Werner and Kasper Hjulmand, how Bayer Leverkusen edged out Leipzig, and why the game unfolded the way it did.

RB Leipzig Vs Bayer Leverkusen Players & Formations Used

Ole Werner isn’t a fan of change, and he once again showcased that fact through his lineup in his usual 4-3-3 formation.

Peter Gulacsi started in goal with a back-four consisting of Kosta Nedeljkovic, Willi Orban, Castello Lukeba, and skipper David Raum in front of him.

Nicolas Seiwald played as the holding midfielder with Xaver Schlager and Christoph Baumgartner completing the entirely Austrian midfield for Leipzig.

In the attack, Conrad Harder played on the right wing, Tidiam Gomis on the left wing, and Romulo in central attack, with Yan Diomande missing the game due to AFCON.

For Kasper Hjulmand, things went a bit differently, with a back three in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Mark Flekken started in goal, with Jeanuel Belocian playing as the left centre-back, Loic Badé in the centre, and captain Robert Andrich on the right side of the backline.

Aleix García played as the holding midfielder with Malik Tillman completing the double-pivot.

Nathan Tella and Arthur played as the two wingbacks, with Jonas Hofmann and Martin Terrier playing in attacking midfield for the Danish coach.

In the attack, Patrick Schick got the nod as the starting striker once again for Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen Dominating Through Build-Up

Despite playing away from home, Bayer Leverkusen managed to control possession, holding 56% throughout the game, even when leading for most of the time.

Hjulmand values a build-up play through short passes, and they did really well to negate the pressure Werner was trying to achieve with his players.

What’s really interesting is the asymmetrical way they were positioning their backline when building up in line one.

Hjulmand heavily included Flekken in the build-up, creating a pseudo back-four with two players being on the right side of the field and the right centre-back being pushed closely towards the sideline.