Champions League semi-finalist preview: Remarkable rise of 11-year-old RB Leipzig
In only their second ever Champions League campaign, crashing out in the group stages of their first back in 2017, RB Leipzig's qualification for the final four is mightily impressive, irregardless of any feeling towards how the club have gone about securing their rise. Indeed, to say that the club are unpopular with neutrals in Germany in particular would be an understatement given the embarrassment of riches they have had at their disposal.
However, no matter how much of an uneven financial keel they have benefitted from domestically shouldn't dampen quite how far Leipzig have come in just 11 years of existence. Their recruitment in that time has been sensational and while the model may be dislikeable, there is something distinctly - dare we suggest - likeable about the playing staff and their uber-impressive young coach.
Group Stage
While RB Leipzig ultimately topped what on paper was considered one of the most underwhelming groups, their performances and results were far from emphatic. Indeed, while manu groups - namely that of semi-final opponents PSG - had two teams that were considerably stronger than the rest, a quartet alongside Lyon, Benfica and Zenit always looked like being competitive.
That was certainly the case, as Julian Nagelsmann's side won just three of their six matches, earning the joint lowest points haul of any group winner (11) and finishing just four points ahead of the bottom team in the group, Zenit. It was two victories over the Russian champions that proved decisive in reaching the knockout phase, but with a modest +2 goal difference, few would have predicted Leipzig would go this deep into the tournament.
A 2-0 home defeat to Lyon and draw in the reverse fixture certainly doesn't make for positive reading should the French outfit end up being their final opponents, but the prospect of the two even meeting in Sunday's showcase is quite remarkable.
Knockout stage
If Leipzig were unconvincing in the group stage, they were far from it in the round of 16, making light work of last season's beaten finalists Tottenham. A 4-0 aggregate victory didn't flatter the Germans, who out-shot Jose Mourinho's men 29 to 18 over two legs, making Nagelsmann's nickname of 'Mini-Mourinho' appear more of an insult than a compliment!
They were without centre-backs Willi Orban and Ibrahima Konate for both matches, as well as midfield duo Tyler Adams and Kevin Kampl, while Dayot Upamecano was suspended for the first leg. His absence saw a back three of Marcel Halstenberg, Lukas Klostermann and Ethan Ampadu start in London, none of whom are natural centre-backs but each of whom looked incredibly comfortable. It was proof if it were needed that Nagelsmann's approach was as more about the system than the personnel within it.
Their quarter-final opponents were Atletico Madrid after a lengthy break and following the untimely and most would argue unfair departure of Timo Werner, Leipzig approached the game as underdogs. However, it's they that took the game to a typically defensive Atletico side and Nagelsmann who had the wherewithal to adapt his lineup and ultimately restore their control after Joao Felix's introduction looked to have swung the game in the Spanish side's favour. After three thoroughly deserved knockout wins, they are now just two away from achieving a quite sensational feat.
Team Changes
Arguably the biggest squad change of the four semi-finalists, and certainly the one many felt would be most impactful, the loss of Timo Werner to Chelsea could still prove telling. While the Germans coped admirably without their top scorer against Atleti, the alternatives of Youssouf Poulsen and, to a lesser extent, Patrik Schick don't carry the same threat.
Nevertheless, both Adams and Kampl are back fit and played a big part in the quarter-final victory, strengthening Leipzig's midfield options, while so too is Orban. Moreover, Dani Olmo's first Champions League appearance for the club since arriving in January involved another telling contribution to see the team through to the final four.
Top Performers
1. Dayot Upamecano (7.41 rating) - While Upamecano was known to many prior to this season, his performances in the current campaign, particularly in Europe, have cemented his reputation as perhaps the top young centre-back around. Averages of 3.3 tackles and 2.2 dribbles per 90 sum up the Frenchman's skillset nicely, marrying physicality with a composure that has seen him complete 87.5 per cent of his passes.
2. Angelino (7.32 rating) - While the Spaniard has only made three Champions League appearances since his arrival from Manchester City in January, his impact in the attacking third in particular has been pivotal to Leipzig's progression. The full-back has two assists in said matches.
3. Marcel Sabitzer (7.27 rating) - A staple of the side for some time now, adopting the captain's armband, Nagelsmann's impact has perhaps had a greater effect on the Austrian than any other player. He's had a direct hand in seven Champions League goals this season, scoring four and assisting three.
