Red Bull Leipzig: Who are the Bundesliga minnows who formed just SEVEN years ago but are unbeaten and recruiting Europe’s hottest talent?
Scottish starlet Oliver Burke signed in a big-money move over the summer and it looks a good shout at the moment
RB LEIPZIG are taking the Bundesliga by storm but there’s more than meets the eye to the club.
The side are unbeaten in the league and currently sit in third place, behind Bayern Munich and fellow surprise packages Cologne.
Their attractive, attacking style is mixed with a focus on developing young stars.
However, the club’s ownership by Red Bull has drawn anger throughout German football and they have become a highly controversial club.
Here’s everything you need to know about them...
Why am I only just hearing about them?
Formed in 2009, replacing local club SSV Markranstadt and taking their place in the German League system.
They are officially named RasenBallsport Leipzig due to German rules banning clubs being named after companies.
Starting in the fifth tier, playing in just a 5000-seater stadium they began working their way up the ladder.
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It took until 2013 to reach the third tier then just one season to gain promotion to the 2. Bundesliga.
Last season, having broken records for spending at the start of the campaign, they finished second in the league to gain promotion to the top tier.
Now playing in the Bundesliga, they attract large crowds at the Red Bull Arena, which previously hosted matches at the 2006 World Cup.
With former Schalke boss Ralf Rangnick as Sporting Director and head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl they are becoming one of Germany’s most impressive clubs.
Youth development is key to the club and they have one of the youngest squads in the Bundesliga.
Despite success in developing youngsters, including Germany and Bayern star Joshua Kimmich. They are a hated club in Germany for their Red Bull ownership.
This goes away from the traditional fan-ownership model that’s such an important feature of German football.
Borussia Dortmund fans protested against the club during their visit earlier in the season.
A protest from Cologne fans also resulted in a delayed kick off before their clash.
How are they so high up the table?
Known by fans in Germany as Retortenclub, or ‘Synthetic Club’, their arrival in the Bundesliga was met with protests.
Their performances have silenced the critics, beating both Dortmund and Wolfsburg and racking up an impressive seven games unbeaten from the start of the season.
Young players like Emil Forsberg and Timo Werner have put in great performances in the club’s direct, attacking system.
They have not been the push-overs many expected them to be.
Former champions Werder Bremen were beaten 3-1 on Sunday.
And they go into the match not just as equals but as the favourites.
Who are their star names?
Swedish midfielder Emil Forsberg has put in some exceptional performances so far, chipping in with three goals and two assists.
The 24-year-old has played on the left-wing and in-the-hole and is his side’s main creative threat.
Yussuf Poulsen is a Danish international forward.
He offers a great physical threat and may be one to watch out for fans of Premier League clubs.
At just 22 years old, he scored the winner against Augsburg last month and assisted Forsberg’s winner against Wolfsburg.
Right-back Bernardo joined from sister club Red Bull Salzburg in the summer.
The Brazilian has proved an inspired buy with his tough tackling style proving a hit with spectators.
At just 21 years old he looks one to keep an eye on for the future.
How’s Oliver Burke getting on?
Scotsman Burke’s £13.5 million signing from Nottingham Forest was greeted with much fanfare.
He came off the bench to assist the winner on his debut against Dortmund and scored against fellow surprise packages Cologne in a 1-1 Draw.
Despite this, he’s only been able to show his talents in short bursts as most of his play-time has come from the bench.