RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich: Matchday 6 Preview
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig comes into Matchday six just one point off the pace set by Bayern Munich and Leverkusen. After dropping points in their first match of the Bundesliga season away at Leverkusen, Marco Rose’s have responded with four straight wins. The new-look Leipzig team has outscored the opposition 12 to 1 in four Bundesliga victories. Leipzig also had a great start to their Champions League and Pokal campaigns with opening wins over Young Boys (Champions League) and SV Wehen Wiesbaden (Pokal).
Despite Peter Gulacsi finally making his return in the Pokal this past week, I would still expect Janis Blaswich to start against Bayern. To Blaswich’s right, Benjamin Henrichs should get the start with the pairing of Mohamed Simakan and 20-year-old Leipzig newcomer Castello Lukeba occupying the center-back roles. On the left, German international David Raum will provide an attacking threat down the wide channels.
I anticipate Marco Rose to play a 4-4-2 system which allows the Leipzig team to press higher up the field and use the numerical advantage centrally both when in possession and defensively to attempt to overrun the Bayern midfield. Within this structure, look for the Slovenian Kevin Kampl and Austrian Xaver Schlager to command the defensive midfield duties. With Dani Olmo set to miss out (talk about catching a break!), the exciting Dutch talent Xavi Simons will pair with the reliable Emil Forsberg to finish off the four-person midfield.
Leading the line for Leipzig, Red Bull talent Benjamin Sesko is beginning to show why Leipzig paid €24 million for him. At a towering 6’4″, he will give the Bayern defense a physical challenge. Alongside Sesko, the young Belgian Lois Openda has 3 goals in 5 matches and will look to add to his goal tally on Saturday.
"Predicted Starting XI (4-4-2 Box) Blaswich Henrichs-Simikan-Lukeba-Raum Schlager-Kampl Simons-Forsberg Sesko-Openda"
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Predicted Score
RB Leipzig 2-2 Bayern Munich (Harry Kane and Sane)
While the loss in the Supercup stung, I still recollect that Bayern created some very good chances (also allowed some very good chances) that fell to Tel. I expect Bayern to create similar opportunities and this time they fall to a proven goal scorer in Kane. Sane will continue his fine form and add one cutting onto his favored left foot. I think Leipzig’s press gets them a goal and they catch Bayern on a counterattack in typical Leipzig fashion to equalize in the 2nd half.