After a long two weeks of waiting, the second match week of the Bundesliga season is finally upon us. The game between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund hits the limelight this week, with drama coming from protesting football fans who continue to reject Leipzig’s recent actions.

Thomas Tuchel’s side managed a win in their first game of the season, winning against a strong Mainz 05 squad in what was a comfortable 2-1 win for the nations favourite squad.

The same however can’t be said for RB Leipzig, who managed a point at home to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim two weeks ago, a Marcel Sabitzer equaliser in the 90th minute was what saved the newly promoted outfit from an opening defeat.

Dortmund a big jump, Burke debut on the horizon?

One of the teams that RB Leipzig could do with not playing against is Borussia Dortmund. The attacking prowess yellow-blacks possess will be a tough test for their defence, who remain largely unexperienced in age and in top flight play.

To add, last season’s top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has hit the ground running, notching the two goals that saw them claim three points at home two weeks ago. Considering this, being able to keep the Gabon international out in his first away game of the season may be too much for Leipzig to manage especially this early on in the season.

André Schürrle is another Dortmund player that impressed in the opening game. The 24-year-old had the most shots on goal in the game, with seven in total, five of which coming from outside the box. The German also created the first goal of the game with a wonderful cross from the left side, which Aubameyang headed in.

For Leipzig, giving Schürrle to much time on the ball will be something they will need to avoid doing if they want any chance of getting points out of Dortmund, a job and a half for right back Benno Schmitz, who has only recently moved to the German side from partners Red Bull Salzburg.

The two new signings side by side. | Source: Reviersport
The two new signings side by side. | Source: Reviersport

Ignoring the gap evident between the two sides, Hasenhuttl also has a handful of his own recourses at hand that will look to threaten the Dortmund defence.

Another former RB Salzburg player Naby Keita, who was brought in for a club record fee of 9.35 million euros in July is set to make his home debut for the side, as well as Oliver Burke, who arrived at the Red Bull Arena from Nottingham Forest on the 28th of August. Even though the players are still largely unproven, Hasenhüttl clearly see’s their potential to become elite players.

Going back to the opening of the new campaign, Last season’s top goal scorer Davie Selke didn’t manage to start against Hoffenheim, and is set to fight for his place alongside Yussuf Poulsen.

Both Marcel Sabitzer and team captain Dominik Kaiser coming up with goals already however suggests there is a larger goal threat presence in the RB Leipzig squad.

Fan drama overshadows build up

On-going drama regarding RB Leipzig’s marketing strategies has overshadowed the club's start to the season. A particular group of BVB fans also known as “Südtribüne Dortmund" are planning on avoiding the game in protest against RB Leipzig.

Instead of travelling 400 kilometres east to the Red Bull Arena, the protesting fans will stay in Dortmund and support the reserves against SV Wuppertaler in Germany's fourth division.

RB Leipzig have even been labeled “The most hated club in Germany” by The Guardian, a statement which encapsulates an issue that must be fixed fast for the eastern club.

Predicted lineups

RB Leipzig: (4-2-3-1): Gulacsi; Schmitz, Orban, Compper, Halstenberg; Ilsanker, Demme; Kaiser, Sabitzer; Keita; Poulsen

Borussia Dortmund: (4-2-3-1): Burki; Passlack, Papastathopoulos, Bartra, Schmelzer; Castro, Rode; Dembélé, Kagawa, Schurrle; Aubameyang

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Lewis Clouting
Well done is better than well said.