I am liking this Leipzig project.
Putting your faith in youth, and not just protecting them, but being confident enough to set them free against the best in the Bundesliga is a great sight to see.
How many managers will be as brave as Ralph Hasenhüttl and be able to play such young players against Dortmund in their own backyard?
In a world where the budget of small countries and islands are spent on players, it's refreshing to have unknown youngsters perform brilliantly and take apart the league leaders.
I get it. Leipzig have already spent a bit on their massive long term project to throw a wrench in the Bayern and Dortmund domination and they have huge financial backing for this long term travail.
But I don't care. Their existence is very good for the Bundesliga, making it far more competitive because I'd rather a a three-horse race over the two.
It gets a bit too predictable where all you have to look forward to in a Bundesliga season are Dortmund and Bayern games because they are the only two who can realistically win the title.
Back to Leipzig, I need to give a shoutout to the young man from Portugal, Bruma, who was one of the best players on the pitch against Dortmund. With the home side playing right into his hands, he was able to use his speed, balance and control to cause Dortmund problems all game on the flank.
Of course you have the man that will be heading to northern England soon, Naby Keita, who showed why he's quickly becoming one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Europe.
For the entire game, he tackled, unleashed counter attacks and kept driving forward with the ball, forcing Dortmund to track back constantly.
Players like these are invaluable because they form the core of your team and can help in both breaking down the play of the opposition whilst setting the tempo and pulse of your own group.
Leipzig are probably not going to win the Bundeliga this season, improving on their superbly impressive second-place finish last season, but if they can hit into some consistency and with Bayern trying to find themselves again with the return of Heynckes and Dortmund not being totally convincing...there's a chance.
What's more impressive is their win was achieved without Forsberg and Werner, who were both star performers last year.
It shows a deep squad, and as the old adage goes in football:
"Teams win matches, squads win titles."
Let's hope Hoffenheim can also maintain the pace and make this one of the most exciting Bundesliga seasons in a very long time. HH
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