Wait, who are level with Bayern Munich? Five facts on RB Leipzig’s Bundesliga rise

Bundesliga new boys RB Leipzig have been on a meteoric rise since they were founded flush with Red Bull cash in 2009, culminating with going level at the top with Bayern Munich over the weekend.

Leipzig players celebrate after scoring against Mainz in their Bundesliga match on Sunday. Jens Mayer / AP Photo / November 6, 2016

New boys RB Leipzig are level with leaders Bayern Munich on 24 points at the top of the Bundesliga table in Germany's top flight and on a record run.

Here are five reasons why the Red Bull-backed outfit from the former East Germany city is still unbeaten after their first ten games:

Mo money, less problems

Unlike many other newly-promoted teams in their first Bundesliga season, RB Leipzig are not wanting for cash.

They are bankrolled by Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz and the Austrian billionaire has pumped in cash since the club was founded in 2009.

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Four promotions in seven years saw RB Leipzig earn a Bundesliga place, but their recruitment policy is to buy rising talent, rather than established stars on big salaries.

For example, €50 million (Dh200m) was available and their main recruitment this season has seen Scotland international Oliver Burke signed from Nottingham Forest for €15 million.

Greece defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos has been signed on loan from Bayer Leverkusen and more could follow in January's winter break.

Smart leadership

In director of sport Ralf Rangnick, RB Leipzig have an experienced campaigner who knows how to take a new team to the top of the Bundesliga.

The 58-year-old guided Schalke to the Champions League semi-finals in 2011.

And eight years ago, he steered Hoffenheim to the top of the German league table by Christmas, only for them to finish seventh in their first German top-flight season in 2008/09.

Mateschitz leaves the day-to-day running to Rangnick, who focuses on recruitment and managing the club, including rising expectations.

“I believe over the course of the season, no one will really be a danger to Bayern,” said Rangnick.

“We have made a fantastic start, but no Champions League or Europa League places are given out after only ten matches.”

Smart manager

Working under Rangnick is manager Ralph Hasenhuttl and his clear playing policy favours fast-paced football and quick counter-attacking.

From the youth sides up, each of the club’s teams has the same playing style.

Hasenhuttl’s rotation policy means even captain Dominik Kaiser has had to get used to starting games on the bench and the lack of a superstar means that the team come first.

“It is extraordinary that we have scored so many points in the past few weeks, but we have earned them,” insisted Kaiser.

The young squad is eager to learn and follow the lead set by Hasenhuttl and Rangnick, one example being the squad’s refusal to accept the “Bayern Hunters” tag the German media are so eager to pin on them.

“You may call us what you want, but for us it is more important to see where we need to improve, we haven’t played a top team for a while,” said Hasenhuttl.

Tight ship

The team are disciplined on the pitch, giving away 19 yellow cards (no reds) in ten games and beating clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Hamburg and Wolfsburg.

Their 3-1 win at home to Mainz on Sunday saw RB Leipzig equal the record of Duisburg, set in 1993/94, who were also unbeaten in their first ten games after promotion.

They will next be tested at Champions League side Leverkusen on November 19 and face Bayern in an exciting showdown in Munich on December 20.

The talk in Saxony is of emulating the stunning achievement of Kaiserslautern, who won the Bundesliga title in 1997/98 straight after promotion.

Swelling support

There is euphoria around the former East German city of Leipzig at having a club in the top flight.

The club have sold out four of their five Bundesliga home games so far this season with 42,558 fans packed into the Red Bull Arena.

Rival clubs have threatened to boycott matches in Leipzig, but home supporters are clamouring for tickets.

The club are hoping to unveil plans for a new stadium or a renovation of the Red Bull Arena, which hosted 2006 World Cup matches, and want a ground which will hopefully accommodate 70,000.

So eager is the city to accommodate the club that the post of “RB commissioner” is being set up to ensure two-way communication.

*Agence France-Prese

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