The lowdown on RB Leipzig

The second game of Aston Villa’s USA tour takes the team to New York to play RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

A clash against the Bundesliga side, which is live on VillaTV+, is next in line to test Unai Emery’s side as they continue preparations for the upcoming season.

Take a closer look at Leipzig ahead of kick-off…

Scenesetter

Energy drinks company Red Bull took over the playing rights to fifth tier German side SSV Markranstädt in 2009 and has proceeded to build them into a European force. 

After changing the name and investing heavily in pursuit of Bundesliga football, the club reached the top flight for the first time in 2017 and made an instant impact by finishing second in their maiden season.

The goals of Timo Werner were pivotal in that campaign (21) as they secured Champions League football and began competing amongst Europe’s elite. 

Leipzig have finished in the top four in the past six seasons while also winning the German Cup twice in that span. 

The players

Leipzig have travelled to the States without players who reached the semi-finals and finals of Euro 2024, including Spain star Dani Olmo.

However, they do have an array of attacking talent to call on for Wednesday’s game, with Benjamin Sesko, Lois Openda and club record appearance maker Yusuf Poulsen in their ranks.

Between the sticks, experienced goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, who had loan spells at Hereford United and Tranmere Rovers earlier in his career, was first choice last season. 

Fellow Hungarian Willi Orban is the club captain and leader in the heart of defence.

Overall, Leipzig have 17 senior players and 9 youth players with them on their tour of the USA.

The coach

Leipzig-born Marco Rose has been the club’s head coach since 2022.

He joined the club after a single season at Borussia Dortmund, whom he led to a second-place finish in the Bundesliga.

Rose’s first head coaching role came at Lokomotive Leipzig before he joined Red Bull Salzburg, working his way up from the youth teams to the senior setup. 

He won two Austrian Bundesligas and an Austrian Cup and added more trophies to his CV when he led Leipzig to the German Cup and Super Cup in 2023.

Rose enjoyed a 16-year playing career before moving into coaching, representing Mainz 05 for the majority. 

Ways To Watch

Aston Villa fans around the world can watch the match live on VillaTV+.

The match kicks off at 8pm local time or 1am in the UK.