European battle adds spice to fiery Leipzig-Borussia Dortmund clash football news

RB Leipzig hosts Borussia Dortmund on Saturday with potential Champions League qualification looming in what has become one of the Bundesliga’s most bitter rivalries in recent years. Fourth-placed Leipzig are two points ahead of fifth-placed Dortmund, with only the top four clubs guaranteed Champions League football next season – although strong European performances could lead to Germany securing fifth place in the new UEFA qualification system . The rivalry between the two sides has been fierce since Leipzig were first promoted in 2016.

In Leipzig’s first match away at Dortmund, the famous Yellow Wall unveiled a banner branding the Red Bull-owned newcomers the “shame of the league”, while around 2,000 fans marched through the city before the game in protest.

Bayer Leverkusen’s spectacular title run this season has dealt a blow to either side’s claims to being the best after Bayern Munich, but Leipzig and Dortmund could still be considered next in line to the throne.

Since Leipzig were promoted to the First Division ahead of the 2016–17 season, only once has anyone finished second to Bayern.

Schalke, now in the second tier, finished runners-up in 2017–18, with Dortmund finishing second four times and Leipzig twice in that time.

Apart from Bayern, Leipzig and Dortmund – both Champions League regulars – have fared best in Europe’s premier competition.

Leipzig made the Champions League semi-finals in 2019-20 and Dortmund has reached the last four this season.

Speaking to AFP and other media on Thursday, Leipzig striker Benjamin Cesco said his team was eager to move on.

“I always look at every game like it’s my last game.

“But in this situation, you know who you are playing for. For me, it’s not even pressure, it’s more motivation.

“The week before that game, it’s really hard to wait.”

Leverkusen have already won the Bundesliga title and will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record when they host third-placed Stuttgart on Saturday.

Xabi Alonso’s side have just four games left to become the first team to go through a Bundesliga season without losing.

Bayern Eintracht will host Frankfurt and look to avenge a 5-1 defeat in December.

The defeat was Bayern’s first league defeat of the season, exposing the cracks in outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel’s team.

One to watch: Benjamin Cesco

Still in his first season with the club, RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Cesco has found form, scoring in each of his last three matches.

The 20-year-old Sesko, who arrived from sister club Red Bull Hamburg, said he needed time to adjust to the pace of the German league.

“I had to get used to this level. I think I’m getting better and better,” the Slovenia international said.

“The pace of the game is very fast. Your moves have to be different… all that kind of stuff comes together in the end.”

key figures

80 – Champions Bayer Leverkusen have 80 points with four games remaining. The all-time record is 91, set by Bayern Munich in 2012–13.

0 – No team has ever gone unbeaten in a Bundesliga season.

17 – Despite winning their first match since October with a 2-0 win over Cologne on Saturday, Darmstadt have only 17 points and could be relegated this weekend.

Fixtures (1330 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Friday

Bochum vs. Hoffenheim (1830)

Saturday

Augsburg at Werder Bremen, Freiburg at Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich at Eintracht Frankfurt, RB Leipzig at Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen at Stuttgart (1830)

sunday

Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Union Berlin, Mainz vs Cologne (1530), Darmstadt vs Heidenheim (1730)

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)