Difficult Start for Leipzig as They Face Leverkusen Away

photo from RB Leipzig

by Anthony J. Merced

RB Leipzig are still on Cloud 9 but will have to come back to earth to play their first Bundesliga fixture of the 2023-24 season against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday at the BayArena. The East German club is enjoying their Supercup upset over Bayern Munich and hoping that the momentum can continue into the new campaign.

"We're happy we took home the trophy but we know this success doesn't give us any advantage over Leverkusen," said team captain Willi Orban after training.

Leipzig last visited Leverkusen in April where they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Xavi Alonso's men. Now, they return to the scene of the crime, hoping to right that wrong and get their season off to a good start.

Many new faces will be on the field as they hope to integrate quick enough to make an impact. Willi Orban, along with his leadership council of Peter Gulasci, Emil Forsberg, Yussuf Poulsen and others, will hope to have the team focusing on the task of upending the dynasty that Bayern Munich has held over teh Bundesliga over the last decade.

"They have strengthened really well this summer with some good signings," said Orban about Leverkusen's summer transfer window. "We know that we have to prepare really well for the game. We want to go there and pick up three points if possible."

Leipzig, and others like Borussia Dortmund, will most certainly feel that the time to strike against Munich is now. A win over Leverkusen away will not only give the team the confidence they need, but remove a difficult trip early in the campaign.

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