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For the Lovers — RB Leipzig

The most successful newcomer in Bundesliga history?

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For the Lovers

The most successful newcomer in Bundesliga history?

The most successful newcomer in Bundesliga history? Leipzig’...

The most successful newcomer in Bundesliga history?

The most successful newcomer in Bundesliga history? Leipzig’s runners-up finish in 2017 shook the all-time benchmark set by Kaiserslautern in 1997/98, though it did not topple it. Still, Leipzig became the first true Bundesliga newcomer to jump straight from the second division into the Champions League.

Die Band Silly mit Sängerin Anna Loos sorgt bei Leipzigs Bundesliga-Aufstiegsfeier 2016 für Stimmung. Foto: Imago Images
Die Band Silly mit Sängerin Anna Loos sorgt bei Leipzigs Bundesliga-Aufstiegsfeier 2016 für Stimmung. Foto: Imago Images

Leipzig loves Berlin: painful for Hertha fans, but

Leipzig loves Berlin: painful for Hertha fans, but Leipzig have made the capital of eastern and central Germany feel like their own playground.

Leipzig loves Berlin: painful for Hertha fans, but Leipzig have made the capital of eastern and central Germany feel like their own playground. In the Bundesliga up to the end of 2019, Hertha were Leipzig’s absolute favourite opponents: seven matches, six wins, a goal difference of plus 18, and the 4–1 in Berlin in 2017 secured direct Champions League qualification. Even Hertha’s reserve side did little better in the Regionalliga years.

Alexander Zorniger ist von 2012–2015 Trainer bei RB Leipzig. Foto: Imago Images
Alexander Zorniger ist von 2012–2015 Trainer bei RB Leipzig. Foto: Imago Images

The biggest Bundesliga win came on November 2,

The biggest Bundesliga win came on November 2, 2019, when Mainz 05 were destroyed 8–0.

The biggest Bundesliga win came on November 2, 2019, when Mainz 05 were destroyed 8–0. It was only the sixth 8–0 in Bundesliga history. After 52 minutes it already stood 7–0 and a double-digit score looked possible, but Leipzig eased off, except for Timo Werner’s hunger. His third goal made it 8–0 and gave Leipzig the highest Bundesliga scoreline seen in 19 years.

The Bulls as cup scare: on July 29,

The Bulls as cup scare: on July 29, 2011 the Red Bull Arena saw Leipzig’s first DFB-Pokal match, and the then Regionalliga side beat heavily favoured Bundesliga club Wolfsburg 3–2 in front of 34,341.

The Bulls as cup scare: on July 29, 2011 the Red Bull Arena saw Leipzig’s first DFB-Pokal match, and the then Regionalliga side beat heavily favoured Bundesliga club Wolfsburg 3–2 in front of 34,341. Hero of the day was the hat-trick scorer Daniel Frahn. The next Wolfsburg training session under Felix Magath can hardly have been fun.

Never again the Oberliga: the newcomers took that

Never again the Oberliga: the newcomers took that old amateur-football line literally in 2009/10 and shot up the Oberliga NOFV-Süd, taking 80 points from 30 matches with 26 wins, 74 goals for and only 17 against.

Never again the Oberliga: the newcomers took that old amateur-football line literally in 2009/10 and shot up the Oberliga NOFV-Süd, taking 80 points from 30 matches with 26 wins, 74 goals for and only 17 against. The only blemish was one of their two defeats coming in the city derby away at Sachsen Leipzig.

The greatest success came in 2016/17, when as

The greatest success came in 2016/17, when as Bundesliga newcomers they finished second under Ralph Hasenhüttl and stormed into the Champions League.

The greatest success came in 2016/17, when as Bundesliga newcomers they finished second under Ralph Hasenhüttl and stormed into the Champions League. Even after dropping into the Europa League they reached the quarter-finals before Marseille proved too strong.

In the DFB-Pokal, reaching the 2019 final represented

In the DFB-Pokal, reaching the 2019 final represented the best run in club history.

In the DFB-Pokal, reaching the 2019 final represented the best run in club history. Leipzig got there through Viktoria Köln, Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg, Augsburg and Hamburg, before Bayern were too strong in Berlin, winning 3–0. Before that they had also reached the Saxony Cup final in 2011 and 2013.

For the Lovers — Update 2020–2026

The 2020 Champions League semi-final was a milestone: 2–1 against Atletico Madrid in the Lisbon tournament.

The 2020 Champions League semi-final was a milestone:

The 2020 Champions League semi-final was a milestone: 2–1 against Atletico Madrid in the Lisbon tournament.

The 2020 Champions League semi-final was a milestone: 2–1 against Atletico Madrid in the Lisbon tournament. For a club only founded in 2009, it was a historic achievement.

The 2022 DFB Cup win over SC Freiburg

The 2022 DFB Cup win over SC Freiburg on penalties and the 2023 DFB Cup victory against Eintracht Frankfurt made Leipzig the first back-to-back cup winner since Bayern Munich in 2013/14.

The 2022 DFB Cup win over SC Freiburg on penalties and the 2023 DFB Cup victory against Eintracht Frankfurt made Leipzig the first back-to-back cup winner since Bayern Munich in 2013/14. The 2023 Supercup against Bayern rounded off the trophy collection.

Dani Olmo and Christopher Nkunku developed into world-class

Dani Olmo and Christopher Nkunku developed into world-class players at Leipzig before moving to Barcelona and Chelsea respectively....

Dani Olmo and Christopher Nkunku developed into world-class players at Leipzig before moving to Barcelona and Chelsea respectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Leipzig's greatest achievements?
RB Leipzig has won significant titles and unforgettable victories throughout its history. This chapter celebrates those moments.
What titles has Leipzig won?
RB Leipzig's trophy cabinet includes domestic and international honours, all documented in the Lovers chapter.
What was Leipzig's best season?
The most successful seasons and their stories are told in detail in this chapter.
What does For the Lovers cover?
The most successful newcomer in Bundesliga history?
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