In the DFB Cup final against SC Freiburg, RB Leipzig looked like the sure loser for a long time, but then coach Domenico Tedesco's team saved themselves with a penalty shoot-out – and that's where nerves decide.
Finally there: The RB Leipzig team celebrates the cup victory
When the ball, which had been shot hard, bounced back into the field, there was no stopping Freiburg's Ermedin Demirovic slamming SC Freiburg's fourth penalty into the crossbar with full force in the decisive penalty shoot-out. His miss was tantamount to RB Leipzig's 4-2 (1-1, 1-1, 0-1) victory as they celebrated their first title in the club's young history. Captain Willi Orban lifted his coach Domenico Tedesco into the air, Kevin Kampl was in tears and Christopher Nkunku's first step was to the RB fans. “It's crazy,” said RB club boss Oliver Mintzlaff on ARD. “It's unbelievable that it worked out like this in the end. It will certainly take a little while to get through to my head.” But he will “take the time to enjoy this success”.
After the final whistle, the Leipzig players let their own fans celebrate and celebrated the first success in the club's history. “I'm at a loss for words,” said Emil Forsberg on ARD. “Coming back like this is just amazing, it shows passion and mentality. I'm happy.” But there was also applause from the other side. Despite great disappointment and stunned looks, Freiburg was celebrated by her fans. One in particular was sung loudly. “Christian Streich, you're the best man,” the SC fans chanted again and again and the visibly moved Freiburg coach thanked them with applause and kisses. “We had an incredibly great season,” Streich summed it up, adding: “We'll be playing in the European Cup next year. The fans are grateful, that's right, the team is doing incredible.”
Tedesco with energy performance< /h2>
It was an intense cup final in the sold-out Olympiastadion in Berlin, with a winner who seemed to be on the losing road for a long time. First, a controversial goal by Freiburg caused Leipzig to fall behind. Maximilian Eggestein scored after the ball jumped into his teammate Robert Sallai's hand. After questioning the video assistant, the goal counted (19th minute). Then Lucas Höler, who was hurrying away, was thrown off his feet after just under an hour by Leipzig's Marcel Halstenberg and had to leave the field with a red card (57th). Basically everything was prepared for a success of the sports club from Breisgau. But then coach Domenico Tedesco took control and vigorously whipped his team forward. Only a yellow card from the referee was able to calm the 36-year-old.
Domenico Tedesco lashed out his players keep coming forward
But Tedesco's actions had the desired effect as RB didn't give up, fought their way back into the game and rewarded themselves. After a blocked free kick, Orban extended a cross from Konrad Laimer – Nkunku was spot on and executed (76'). The French made it possible for RB to extend the game, in which Freiburg immediately drew attention. Substitute Demirovic headed against the post. And even Janik Haberer was not allowed to produce the new Freiburger – he failed twice because of the aluminum. Shortly before the end, referee Stegemann decided against a Leipzig penalty after viewing the video images. SC defender Nicolas Höfler played the ball very delicately when he tackled Dani Olmo in his own penalty area (118').
Medical emergency in the stadium
In the subsequent penalty shoot-out, Leipzig had the better nerves and after two lost finals – 2019 against FC Bayern and in 2021 against Borussia Dortmund – they finally managed to win the cup final. It took some time before coach Tedesco's team was allowed to lift the trophy into the Berlin night sky. The celebrations were postponed due to a medical operation on the sidelines. One of the photographers present had apparently collapsed on the sidelines and had to be treated by paramedics and emergency doctors.
There was silence in the stadium for minutes. One by one, the spectators in the stands switched on the lights on their mobile phones. A sea of lights to support the patient who was finally stable enough to be taken to the clinic by ambulance.
After that there was finally the cup – and the evening ended exuberantly for the new cup winners RB Leipzig and his fans. “It was a very good game from us, especially in the second half with a man down. We are very, very happy,” said Tedesco. “I can't quite get my head around it yet, it feels very good. I can only praise the guys for this amazing performance.”
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In 2009, Red Bull wants to become a club sponsor in German football. Since renowned clubs such as St. Pauli and 1860 Munich refuse to cooperate, the beverage company moves to Leipzig. The takeover of traditional club Sachsen Leipzig fails due to DFB and fans. So you join SSV Markranstädt, take over their license and start as a lawn ball sport in Leipzig in the Oberliga Nordost.
- DFB-Pokal: RB Leipzig wins the first title
Overqualified
RB gave the Bundesliga as a medium-term goal right from the start and hit the transfer market right away. The team will be populated with players who could normally play several leagues higher than just fifth division. The most prominent new signing is ex-national player Ingo Hertzsch (2nd from left).
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The man in the background
Head behind the investment in Leipzig is Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz. In addition to RB Leipzig, the Austrian billionaire also sponsors Red Bull Salzburg, the Formula 1 racing team Red Bull Racing and many trend sports. In Germany, his involvement is controversial: the organization of the club with almost no members and thus no participation from the grassroots provokes many football romantics.
promotion under protest
RB Leipzig's kickers are received in a correspondingly unfriendly manner at away games. Many opposing fans do not agree with the “construct” RB, against which their clubs have no chance. In the beginning there were even cancellations of games. RB's path is still steep. In the very first season, the “Brauseklub” is promoted to the regional league.
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Decisive personnel
In 2012, RB signed Ralf Rangnick (left) as sports director and thus finally set the course for a great future. With Alexander Zorniger (r.), Rangnick brings a new coach with him, with whom in 2013 he was promoted to the 3rd division and in 2014 he also made it straight through to the 2nd division.
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Best player material
In the 2013/2014 third division season, there were two players in the RB squad, Joshua Kimmich (right) and Yussuf Poulsen (left), who are now among the top players in the Bundesliga. In the two following second division years until 2015, players like Emil Forsberg, Lukas Klostermann, Marcel Halstenberg, Willi Orban and Peter Gulacsi were added, who still form the core of the team today.
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The boss takes over himself
After two years in the 2nd division, RB Leipzig has achieved its goal: seven years after the first competitive game in Markranstädt, promotion to the Bundesliga is certain. The promotion coach is none other than Ralf Rangnick, who, in addition to his position as sports director, has also taken on the job of coach on an interim basis. In the Bundesliga, however, he makes the place on the bench free again.
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Successful premiere
Under the new head coach Ralph Hasenhüttl, the first season in the Bundesliga is very successful: Leipzig doesn't play like a normal promoted team, but establishes itself in the top group of the table right from the start. In the end, Hasenhüttl's team finished second behind FC Bayern and ahead of Borussia Dortmund. RB celebrates the runner-up.
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Arrived in the premier class
Since then, RB Leipzig has been in the European Cup every year: three times in the Champions League and once in the Europa League. In September 2017, Emil Forsberg (left) scored Leipzig's first European Cup goal in the club's first international appearance, the home game in the group stage against AS Monaco.
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Just look, don't touch!
RB is parting ways with Hasenhüttl for the 2018/2019 season. Since the designated successor, Julian Nagelsmann, has another year under contract with Hoffenheim, Ralf Rangnick once again takes over as head coach. He leads RB Leipzig to the DFB Cup final. However, in the final in Berlin, Bayern are too strong and win the pot. Rangnick and Leipzig can only look longingly.
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New duo
Before Julian Nagelsmann (left) starts working for RB, Rangnick will leave the club in the summer of 2019. His successor as sports director will be Markus Krösche (right). Under the new duo, RB established themselves as Bayern pursuers, made it into the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2020 and reached the DFB Cup final for the second time a year later. This time Leipzig is defeated by BVB.
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Performance drop under march
RB's successes qualify Julian Nagelsmann for the coaching job at Bayern. In the summer of 2021, Jesse Marsch will therefore succeed Nagelsmann in Leipzig. But the tactics that the American prescribed for his team did not suit many players. When RB is only eleventh after 14 match days, the club pulls the ripcord: March has to go.
- DFB Cup: RB Leipzig wins the first title
Upswing under Tedesco
Marsch's successor Domenico Tedesco (fourth from right) puts Leipzig back on the road to success. Under the former Schalke coach, the “Red Bulls” qualify for the Champions League in fourth place. In the Europa League, the team narrowly fails in the semi-finals at Glasgow Rangers – and in the DFB Cup it goes all the way to the final.
- DFB Cup: RB Leipzig wins the first title
Finally there
After a hard fight against the equal SC Freiburg the desired title. Freiburg takes the lead. After a red card against RB defender Marcel Halstenberg, Leipzig was outnumbered, but still came back into the game and saved himself in extra time. In the penalty shootout, the RB players then have better nerves and reward themselves with the cup victory.
