RB Leipzig predicted lineup for Bundesliga 2024-25 season

Die Rotten Bullen will be the dark horses for the season with serious talent in their ranks.

RB Leipzig managed to end the 2023-24 season with one trophy. They beat German giants FC Bayern Munich to the German Supercup trophy last year. Leipzig had won the DFB Pokal 2022-23 and blanked the Bundesliga 2022-23 winners 3-0, with former attacking starlet, Dani Olmo bagging a hattrick.

Although Olmo has left for FC Barcelona, Marco Rose’s men have been galvanised with Xavi Simons’ rejoining the club on loan for a second season running. The nimble-footed Dutchman will once again form a deadly trio with Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda.

Die Rotten Bullen have also signed youngster Antonio Nusa, Erling Haaland’s international teammate. Nusa idolises and is likened to Neymar Jr, for his ability to create havoc on the left wing. With so many options let’s see RB Leipzig’s predicted lineup for Bundesliga 2024-25:

RB Leipzig Predicted Formation (3-4-1-2)

Goalkeeper: Maarten Vandevoordt 

Maarten Vandevoordt was brought in from KRC Genk to take over the helm from the ageing Péter Gulácsi. The Belgian shot-stopper is not a modern sweeper-keeper but there is one goalkeeping metric that explains his athletic prowess when it comes to making saves. As per Fbref.com, Post-Shot Expected Goals Allowed minus Goals Allowed (PSxG+/-) refers to either better luck or an above-average ability to stop shots and his numbers are +3.6 since he was expected to concede 34.6 goals. He kept 10 clean sheets while allowing 31 goals. 

Centre-Back: Mohamed Simakan 

Mohamed Simakan is perfect to be fielded on one-side of the defence as his speed and accurate tackling can handle fast wingers and versatile strikers easily. The 24-year-old centre-half has been monitored closely by big clubs due to his offensive propensity. The Frenchman scored two goals and registered three assists last season. Naturally, high defensive numbers and good goal contributions indicate he’s the perfect candidate for Leipzig’s high-line defending style. 

Centre-Back: Willi Orban

The 31-year-old Hungarian will don the captain’s armband for his side this season. Despite making 19 starts in Bundesliga 2023-24, Orban has been consistent with his numbers, winning 50% of both his aerial duels and ground challenges. His role this season will be more of organizing and instructing his teammates as he commands the backline from the centre.   

Centre-Back: Castello Lukeba 

The former Lyon centre-back has an impressive profile. Primarily because he’s one of the rare left-footed central defenders who are blessed with defensive dexterity, agility and pace. The Frenchman played 32 matches last season but had a whopping tackle completion rate of 83.3%.

His pass completion rate was 91.6%. He has maintained his aerial dominance for the past three seasons in the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, making him a serious contender to start for Leipzig this season.  

Right Midfielder: Benjamin Henrichs 

The German right-back played a good portion of his Bundesliga career for Bayer Leverkusen. He has been a standard alternative for Leipzig ever since he joined in 2021. Henrichs’s primary strength lies upfront as the high-flying defender notched a goal and six assists in the league last season.

He also ranked high amongst fullbacks for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes with 3.16. At 5’11” he can also be a good way to nullify the threat from aerial passes. Henrichs can overpower more technical wingers physically and at the same time push back the opoositions’ fullback.

Central Midfielder: Amadou Haidara

Amadou Haidara will continue to be Rose’s preferred destroyer in midfield. The Mali international has proved to be effective in disrupting the opponents’ synergy in the middle of the park. He won 56.1% of his duels and with his taller stature, overpowered midfielders in 65.4% of his aerial battles.

He can also be a very good deep-lying playmaker. Haidara scored two goals and got one assist but completed the second-highest number of progressive passes in his career (97) last season.  

Central Midfielder: Nicolas Seiwald 

The RB Salzburg graduate spent his first season at the club in Bundesliga 2023-24, earning two assists in 21 games. Although not as prominent as his partner, Seiwald excels at reading opposition moves and wrestling back control of the midfield as his satisfactory numbers from defensive duels indicate.

Left Midfielder: David Raum

David Raum was Die Rotten Bullen’s highest contributing defender. The German notched two goals and five assists last season. The left-back ranked in the 93rd percentile for most shot-creating actions among fullbacks. He will add an edge to Lepizig’s attack this season.     

Central Attacking Midfielder: Xavi Simons 

The Leipzig faithful will be delighted at their star players’ decision to continue with the club for another season. Xavi Simons topped his breakthrough season in the Bundesliga with yet another impressive run for the Netherlands in UEFA Euro 2024. The prodigious talented attacker turned defenders inside out as he notched eight goals and 11 assists for RB Leipzig last season. He will be hoping for more this time out.

Right Forward: Benjamin Sesko

Benjamin Sesko has been on the radar for multiple clubs due to his lucrative skillset. The Czechia target man is one of the best young strikers in the world when it comes to playing with the goal to his back. Sesko’s feather touch and dribbling finesse are also unconventional given his hulking frame helped the striker get 14 goals and two assists last season.

Left Forward: Loïs Openda

Despite links to the best clubs in the world, Lois Openda shocked the footballing fraternity with his move to RB Leipzig last season. But the move went outstandingly well for the Belgian speedster as he racked up an immense 24 goals and seven assists, tearing up the Bundesliga 2023-24. Expect him to start this season as he works towards even better numbers.

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