RB Leipzig Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Loïs Openda · Antonio Nusa · Yan Diomande · Johan Bakayoko · Xaver Schlager · Nicolas Seiwald · David Raum · Castello Lukeba · Willi Orban · Ridle Baku · Maarten Vandevoort

RB Leipzig aims to win the ball high up the pitch and strike quickly through vertical transitions. This 5-2-3 formation relies on aggressive pressing and rapid movement to catch opponents out of position. The team plays with a direct intent, looking to move the ball from defense to the final third in as few passes as possible.

Maarten Vandevoort operates between the posts to start the build up. The back line functions as a back five, with Ridle Baku and David Raum acting as attacking wing backs who push high up the pitch to provide width. In the center, Willi Orban (C) leads the unit, using his aerial strength and experience to command the area. He is joined by Castello Lukeba and Nicolas Seiwald, who act as ball playing defenders to play short from the back. This defensive unit can shift to a back three when the wing backs push forward, ensuring they stay compact when defending.

The midfield consists of a two man unit designed to control the center and support the press. Xaver Schlager and Antonio Nusa act as the central engine, with Schlager often working to win the second ball and Nusa using his dribbling to carry the ball forward. These players must work hard to cover the space behind the advancing wing backs and connect the defensive line to the front three. They focus on pressing in a mid block to force a long ball from the opposition.

Up front, RB Leipzig utilizes three attackers to stretch the defence. Loïs Openda acts as a pressing centre forward, using his pace to hunt the ball and run in behind the opposition line. Johan Bakayoko and Yan Diomande occupy the wide areas, with Bakayoko often looking to cut inside to create more central presence. The team looks to attack in combinations, using the space created by the wing backs to deliver crosses or cut it back from the byline to the runners in the box.

This formation offers great speed of transition and the ability to create wide overloads. By having Ridle Baku and David Raum push high, RB Leipzig can pin the last defender and create numerical superiority in the wide areas. The intense pressing from Loïs Openda and the midfield allows the team to win it back high up the pitch, creating immediate chances.

RB Leipzig uses this aggressive lineup to dominate games through high energy and verticality. It is a formation best suited for facing teams that play with a high line or struggle to defend against rapid counter attacks.