Rangers v RB Leipzig: Germans eye 'final step' to first major trophy

A Leipzig fan during their side's first ever season

"Our story of success is somewhat unique in all of Europe."

On 19 May, 2009, a footballing behemoth was born in the heart of Germany's east.

A corporate machine built by a brand that allegedly gives you wings, RB Leipzig's flutter towards the top end of the Bundesliga took just eight years from inception, snaring lower-league titles and dissenters across the country as they ascended the football food chain.

Attendances have swelled, European big names have been swatted away and a run to the Champions League semi-final was achieved two years ago. Yet a major trophy has eluded the grasp of the raging Red Bulls.

Just two weeks shy of their 13th birthday, the club often described as the most hated in Germany has another chance to provide tangible proof of their might.

"Expectations have been high all the time," says captain Peter Gulacsi, whose side take a 1-0 lead to Ibrox in Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg. "We as players, but also the club, are very ambitious and always hungry for more.

"It is great to be part of this story and we want to continue to write our very own special history."

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'Fans are fearful of wealthy owners'

As well as special, their history is short and polarising.

Drinks giant Red Bull spent over three years searching for the right club to add to their bulging sporting empire - one that ranges from football clubs to championship-winning Formula 1 teams - before they found their home.

Protests erupted as Red Bull explored potential takeovers of St Pauli, 1860 Munich and Fortuna Dusseldorf, yet it was fifth-tier SSV Markranstdt that would be rebranded, the new face-lifted version kicking its first ball in the 2009-10 season.

Skip forward to 2016 and they are the first side from the former East Germany to reach the Bundesliga since Energie Cottbus were relegated in 2009.

To understand the feeling towards Leipzig in Germany, it's important to grasp the traditional footballing landscape. While fan-owned sides in Scotland are becoming more common, there this is very much the norm.

"Their organisation is at odds with what most Germans believe what football clubs are - extended arms of the community," says Derek Rae, ESPN's Bundesliga commentator.

"Fans are not begging and praying for wealthy individuals from other parts of the world to come in and bankroll their clubs. They are fearful of that.

"You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who would say they'd rather have Leipzig win the title than Bayern. Bayern aren't liked, they are Germany's most successful club, but people would rather have another Bayern title than Leipzig to get their first."

While Red Bull may be an acquired taste outside of Leipzig, within the city, it has brought a cause and sporting prosperity that has been embraced almost universally.

"The whole city loves RB Leipzig - apart from the two traditional clubs, Chemie and Lok Leipzig - and everyone knows how worthwhile it is to have such a club in the city," reporter Guido Schafer told BBC Sport.

For all the clout and hype, the average attendance in Leipzig's first season bobbed about just north of 2,000. Two years later, it was more than three times that. By 2015, it was 25,000 and, by the end of the 2018-19 season, that figure nudged 40,000.

'Leipzig don't have a glass jaw'

RB Leipzig are captained by goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi (right)

There is an air of inevitability that Leipzig's first major trophy is coming. It's not if but most definitely when.

There have been painful near misses. The club finished second in their maiden season in the top flight, a feat repeated last year. There's two German Cup final losses, as well as that sojourn through Europe's most star-studded club competition. Tottenham Hotspur were beaten twice on that run, while Atletico Madrid were also dispatched before Paris Saint-Germain put a halt to the fun.

Walk through the streets of Leipzig and talk to fans and the growing feeling is that the party may well be kicking off soon. Another spot in the German Cup final was booked last month on top of their shot at the Europa League.

Belief has been restored by head coach Domenico Tedesco, who replaced Jesse Marsch before Christmas. A high-intensity game has been switched out for a more pragmatic approach of ball retention and slow build-up - and it's paying off.

"They have been the form team in Germany for most of 2022 and that includes Bayern. They've been that bit more consistent," Rae added.

"Dortmund have a capricious side to them, a glass jaw. That is often their undoing, but Leipzig don't have a glass jaw."

Successive Bundesliga defeats by Union Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach have dropped Leipzig to fifth and provided a reality check for Tedesco and his players but will not have stirred much doubt within the walls of the grand Red Bull Arena.

Christopher Nkunku is an incredible talent - he has 31 goals and 20 assists in all competitions - while Andre Silva is a potent force. That's before you mention Dani Olmo, Yussuf Poulsen or the rest of what is arguably the most-rounded squad in the Bundesliga.

"Winning a title would be a milestone for the club, the fans, the city and the entire region," Hungary goalkeeper Gulacsi added.

"I think in the past we have been close to winning a trophy but could not go the final step. This season, with all the experience we have from previous possibilities, I think we have a real shot."

While Rangers' heroic run to this stage has surpassed all expectations in Scotland, Leipzig have been built and readied for moments like this.

The Red Bulls are on the charge. We will soon see if their unique story can have another chapter written.