RB Leipzig Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Christopher Nkunku · Antonio Nusa · Johan Bakayoko · Ezechiel Banzuzi · Neil El Aynaoui · Nicolas Seiwald · Ridle Baku · Willi Orban · Maxime Esteve · David Raum · Maarten Vandevoort

RB Leipzig focuses on a high press and lightning fast transitions using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and strike quickly before the opposition can regroup. The team looks to use verticality to stretch the opposition and create chaos in the final third.

Maarten Vandevoort acts as the goalkeeper in a system that relies on a high line. The defensive unit functions as a back five with three central defenders. Willi Orban and Maxime Esteve provide the core strength, while Nicolas Seiwald operates as the central figure to cover space. Ridle Baku and David Raum act as attacking wing backs, tasked to push high and provide width. They are expected to overlap the wingers to create overloads. The defenders must stay compact and hold the line to prevent long balls from breaking through.

A double pivot forms the heart of the midfield to control the center of the pitch. Ezechiel Banzuzi and Neil El Aynaoui work to protect the back line and win the second ball. They are tasked to press aggressively to win the ball high and then quickly find the attackers. These two midfielders connect the defensive block to the front line by recycling possession or playing through the lines. They must also track back to cover the wide areas when the wing backs push forward.

The attacking front line uses three attackers to pin the opposition defense. Christopher Nkunku leads the way as a pressing centre-forward who searches for space between the lines. Johan Bakayoko and Antonio Nusa play as wide attackers, with Bakayoko looking to cut inside and Nusa using his dribbling style to beat his man. The team attacks in combinations, often using the wingers to pull wide before cutting back to the runners. This movement creates runs in behind and allows the players to exploit gaps in the defensive block.

RB Leipzig offers a heavy vertical threat through their ability to transition at pace. The width provided by Ridle Baku and David Raum creates wide overloads that force the opposition to stretch. This allows Christopher Nkunku to find space in central areas. The ability to press in coordinated waves makes it difficult for opponents to build from the back.

This formation is designed for a team that wants to dominate through intensity and quick direct play. It is best suited for matches against opponents that struggle to play out from the back under heavy pressure.