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RB Leipzig vs. Manchester City
RBL take on the reigning champs!
After Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Wolfsburg, RB Leipzig will travel to the UK for matchday 5 of the Champions League season, as the boys take on Manchester City on Tuesday (21:00 CET).
Both clubs have already qualified for the last 16 of this year’s competition and will be focusing on finishing top of Group G. The Premier League champions ran out as 3-1 winners in Leipzig on matchday 2.
Read on for a full overview of all the key players on both sides in our head-to-head
Janis Blaswich vs. Ederson
For more than a year now, Janis Blaswich has impressed between the sticks for RB Leipzig and consistently puts in good performances. He extended his contract at the club until 2026 at the beginning of September, before receiving his first Germany call-up from new national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Janis has kept five clean sheets in the Bundesliga this season and currently leads the league in this category. He offers our young centre-back duo the support they need, with his positional awareness, quick reflexes and body language.
His counterpart at City, Ederson, is a key factor in his team’s build-up play. The Brazil international functions almost like an outfield player due to his passing ability. Depending on the situation, the 30-year-old also enjoys playing long balls over the opposition defence.
Ederson also possesses quick reflexes and has a good read of the game. He has conceded just five goals in the Premier League this season and has kept four clean sheets – both rank among the best in the English top division.
Benjamin Henrichs vs. Kyle Walker
Benny Henrichs is currently an integral member of the RB Leipzig back line. Our versatile right-back has directly contributed to six goals – scoring one and assisting five more – in his 16 appearances in all competitions. He is extremely effective at defending opposition counter-attacks due to his pace when making recovery runs and strength in 1-v-1s.
The 26-year-old is also an asset to the RBL attack, renowned for his commitment and mentality. “He’s a leader whose advice is highly valued by the boys, and he has a strong presence within the team. I’m particularly impressed by his resilient attitude and self belief,” shared Marco Rose.
Kyle Walker is Manchester City’s current captain following Kevin De Bruyne’s injury at the start of the season.. The veteran is currently in his seventh season with the club and has acquired a strong reputation thanks to his consistently strong performances throughout his time there.
The right-back is a vital and obvious choice for Guardiola’s starting XI, and is most prominently renowned for his physicality, speed and wealth of experience in top-flight football. The 33-year old was extremely solid over the course of Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign last season and was rewarded with a new contract until 2026 in the summer as a result.
Mohamed Simakan vs. Josko Gvardiol
Following an injury to captain Willi Orban, Mohamed Simakan has had to step up and take on a leading role within the backline. The 23-year old has not disappointed so far this season and has formed a rock-solid centre-back partnership along with countryman Castello Jr. RBL have the third-best defensive record in the Bundesliga at the time of writing (12 goals conceded) behind Bayer Leverkusen (10) and FC Bayern (9) which is in large part due to our new-look backline. Simakan and Castello Jr. played together for France U21s and have shown maturity beyond their years with their performances so far this season.
Mo is a very calm and composed figure at the back, who’s good in the air and rarely puts in a rash tackle. The Frenchman’s versatility is another one of his strengths and he has proved his ability to get forward and help the attack when deployed as a full-back.
His counterpart in Manchester, Joško Gvardiol, is no stranger in Leipzig. The defender spent two seasons at RBL before moving to England over the summer. The Croat has immediately settled in at City, earning himself a regular spot in Guardiola’s side. Due to an injury to Nathan Ake, Gvardiol has mainly been playing as a left-back for his new club.
His strengths lie in pressing the opponent and maintaining possession. Additionally, the defender has helped to increase City’s strength in the air.
Xavi vs. Phil Foden
Xavi Simons was crowned top goalscorer of the Dutch Eredivisie last season with 19 goals to his name, form which he’s maintained throughout his first months in Leipzig. With 14 goal contributions comprised of six goals and eight assists, the exceptional young talent is one of the strongest attackers in the Bundesliga. The Dutchman loves to look for gaps and break lines in the opposition defence. Xavi has also proved his class in this season’s Champions League campaign, with two wonder goals against Young Boys and Crvena zvezda.
As soon as the 20-year-old gets on the ball, he drives forward all guns blazing. His greatest strengths include his technical ability, knowledge of the game, nimble dribbling ability (particularly when using dummies), and the threat he poses in front of goal.
Young Englishman Phil Foden has already won the English league title five times and the Champions League once at the age of 23. Foden can play on the left or right flank and is a constant threat from out wide.
Especially after key man Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term absence, the City youngster offers his team that extra something and a necessary dash of creativity when they are struggling to create opportunities from open play. Leipzig know all too well that the Englishman is a threat in front of goal too, as he put City 1-0 up in the clash between the sides on matchday 2.
Lois Openda vs. Erling Haaland
Lois Openda has already demonstrated his clear goalscoring instincts at RBL. Lois has been Leipzig’s key man in front of goal, with 11 goals to his name already this campaign.
RB Leipzig’s new arrival has impressed with his physical presence despite his height, tends to assert himself forcefully against his opponents and has an advantage over them when sprinting due to his low centre of gravity. Additionally, he has outstanding timing when it comes to making runs into the box and slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Erling Haaland, whose stature is completely different, also possesses some of these qualities. The European Footballer of the Year broke the record for the most goals in a Premier League season after bagging 36 in his first year in Manchester. Nobody had ever managed to score so many before! Subsequently, he was voted as Player of the Season and PFA Footballer of the Year in England.
Haaland has continued in the same vein this season, with 13 goals in 12 league games so far. The Norwegian has also bagged four goals in as many games in the Champions League this season, though it is unclear whether he’ll play against Leipzig on Tuesday as he has been struggling with ankle problems recently.
