RB Leipzig vs Union Berlin (A) 23/24 Analysis

Leipzig lined up, as usual, in a narrow 4222 where Dani Olmo and Xavi Simons played as very narrow 10’s against Union Berlin. In possession, one of Xaver Schlager or Kevin Kampl would often drop into the defence to create a back 3 in build-up.

Benjamin Henrichs then picks up the ball and plays a 1-2 with Schlager where he ends up in almost a number 10 position which ends up back with Schlager who hits the ball from range but his shot went wide.

Later in the game where Olmo creates a chance for Henrichs

Henrichs leathering a shot at Rønnow from a very narrow position on the edge of the box.

Janis Blaswich was confident on the ball and has been a solid enough shot stopper who has deputised really well for Peter Gulácsi since his injury back in 2022. Mohamed Simakan and Willi Orbán did really well defending wide areas and progressed the ball with some incisive passes. 

Schlager looked especially bright in this game from a defensive aspect and in terms of building up play which even meant that he played a part in the build up that led to Leipzig's 3rd goal.

After a nice 1-2 between Šeško and Olmo, Olmo lifts the ball onto the Slovenian's head around the penalty spot to make it 3-0.

Olmo was a bit quiet until Šeško came on, whom he fed a lovely assist to make it 3-0 - as pictured above. He started to be a bit more lively in the second half when Leipzig were able to catch Union on the counter a bit more frequently rather than trying to break them down in settled possession. 

The full-backs served different functions. David Raum played almost as a LWB/LW as the main source of width on the left, whereas Henrichs stayed a bit deeper and had a more narrow starting position and was willing to carry the ball and linkup through more central areas of the pitch. 

Raum overhitting a cross but this was the sort of position he took up as Leizpig's widest left-sided player.

Simons showed greatfeel for when to pass the ball with some lovely flicks and perfectly weighted passes. His goal also felt like it was coming after he hit a really sweet strike that went just over the bar in the first half. For his goal he found himself in space after Kevin Kampl had worked the ball into Benjamin Henrichs on the edge of the 18 yard box, who laid it off to Simons. Then he gracefully curled the ball into the top right corner. 

The forwards and attacking mids were also quick to press after losing the ball in the opposition's half. Yussuf Poulsen would drop deep and allow Lois Openda to run into the right wing channel and in behind from long balls. 

Leipzig showed their impressive depth being able to bring Šeško (future superstar), Forsberg, Castello Jr, Baumgartner and Klostermann off the bench. This showed why, in my opinion, Leipzig have a very good chance of going very deep in every competition they're in. As, despite not being perfect in the second half, they have fantastic options to bring off the bench that can change any game.

Thanks for reading.