Much has been written about Julian Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig side this season, and rightly so.
The 32-year-old’s principles of play and tactical flexibility has been analyzed in plenty of detail, whilst the individual performances of the likes of Timo Werner, Dayot Upamecano, Christopher Nkunku, and Marcel Sabitzer, alike, have been widely heralded.
In an age where tactical flexibility is becoming more important, and particularly with a Head Coach such as Nagelsmann who is so highly regarded in this discipline, having two right wing-backs who are able to give different options within the same formation is a welcome advantage.
This aforementioned aspect gets even more relevance when we consider that this is a position perhaps overlooked in terms of seeking different options, as opposed to a midfielder or forward.
In this tactical analysis of Leipzig’s 3-5-2 formation, I will provide information through a scout report on two players who have been used in the right wing-back position this season Nordi Mukiele and Tyler Adams.
We discuss the different aspects both of them bring to the right wing-back position by analyzing their individual traits and how they fit in with RB Leipzigs tactics.
It should be noted that Adams has only made a handful of appearances for Nagelsmann this season and despite promising signs at wing-back, this report is, therefore, giving an analysis based on a small sample of games.
RB Leipzig 2019/2020 Tactics
There are basics of a 3-5-2/3-4-3 which you will see in the majority of back three formations, and Leipzig are no different.
Both Adams and Mukiele carry out very similar roles defensively which I will highlight below.
When defending in deeper areas, both the right and left wing-backs will drop deep themselves when out of possession, and will create a back five.
When defending in higher areas, specifically in regards to RB Leipzig pressing, Nagelsmann uses a few different ideas.
Just a couple of these that we have seen when using the 3-5-2/3-4-3 involve the wing-backs once more.
