Celtic will face RB Leipzig in the Europa League match day 3 in Germany tomorrow. Both teams sit on 3 points each and the head to head will surely go some way to determine who reaches the Round of 32.
You’d be forgiven for not knowing a great deal about the East German club apart from that they have a plethora of talent at their disposal, are involved with the Austrian energy drink giants Red Bull and are currently sitting in 5th in the Bundesliga – they were second until the goalless draw at the weekend.
Here is a run down on Celtic’s Europa League opponents.
RasenBallsport Leipzig, and not Red Bull Leipzig as they are often known as, are one of German football’s rising stars. The club have climbed through the divisions since forming on the back of provincial team called SSV Markranstädt in 2009 with the financial support of the Energy drink. The company, acting very carefully within the scope of stringent German football rules, managed to create a club with the aim that they’d be playing in the Bundesliga within ten years.
The club purchased the recently renovated 43,000 capacity Zentralstadion and renamed it the Red Bull Arena, in line with sponsorship ties. Affirming their goal of becoming a global name in the world of football.
Despite the notable involvement with Red Bull, the club have not taken the brand name onto their shirt due to league rules and UEFA Regulations, instead they have taken the bull insignia and a similar logo. Incidentally, there’s not too much between the design of both RB Salzburg’s badge and the East German outfit’s.
Staying off the park, there is a fierce dislike of Leipzig and their supporters. German football creates a community with their fans and the threat of the billion dollar company like Leipzig buying their place in the league and striving for more irks the vast majority of fans in Germany. Last season saw sickeningly violent scenes between Dortmund fans and police as they attempted to get towards some 8,000 away fans of RB Leipzig.
In their two seasons in the Bundesliga, the club have finished with a second place finish and a sixth place finish, not bad for newbies. The talent on the pitch, such as Upamecanco, Bruma, Poulsen, Klostermann and Demme, is scouted and analysed by DoF Ralf Rangwick – who has stated his desire to bring through young, talented local players to compete at the highest level possible before allowing them to move on. This has already been exemplified by Keita, who moved to Liverpool in the summer and more importantly for Celtic fans, Marvin Compper, who we actually pay a wage to.
Leipzig’s quality comes from their pace and width. Players like Sabitzer, Bruma and Werner can hurt Celtic if given a half chance. They’re not where they are out of luck. Fortunately, Swedish midfielder Forsberg is a major doubt ahead of the game but there is an abundance of talent to threaten Celtic and we’ll need to be at our best to beat the Germans.
Salzburg surprised their German cousins in the opening Europa League game, going into an early 2-0 lead. Leipzig fought back to level the score then threw away all that good work by losing a very late third goal to the visitors. In matchday 2, Leipzig travelled to Norway to beat Rosenborg 3-1.
Also on The Celtic Star…
Jim Craig – Bobby Carroll scored Celtic’s first ever goal in European football…See HERE.
Double Blow! Broony and Griffiths ruled out for RB Leipzig v Celtic…See HERE.
Support Matt Corr – After Leipzig, it’s the Parlour and the New York Marathon…See HERE.
