Football
Mark Rodden 7y

Michael Ballack: RB Leipzig have setup to be future Bundesliga champions

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack has said he believes RB Leipzig will win the Bundesliga sooner or later.

Newly promoted Leipzig have enjoyed an outstanding debut season in the German top flight and are second in the table with 14 league matches left.

They have suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, losing three of their past five matches to fall seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

But Ballack believes the club, backed by soft drink manufacturer Red Bull, will eventually be crowned champions "because they have the financial resources required."

He told Sport Bild: "Every city would consider itself fortunate if a sponsor like RB came along and economically supported the local club.

"In addition, their outstanding work at youth level has created the basis for them to be competitive in the long term.

"The conditions in Leipzig are already ripe for the Champions League. I didn't think it would happen so fast."

Leipzig are not popular with many supporters of other clubs in Germany because their backing by Red Bull goes against the fan-led culture of Bundesliga clubs and saw them rapidly rise from the lower leagues.

But Ballack said: "I think that is a debate caused by envy."

^ Back to Top ^