Can in-form Christopher Nkunku and Antonio Nusa fire RB Leipzig to victory against Bayern Munich?
RB Leipzig could hardly have asked for a better time for Christopher Nkunku and Antonio Nusa to hit top form. The attacking duo have been at the heart of Leipzig’s recent goalscoring exploits and, with a huge trip to Bayern Munich coming up on Matchday 6, their pace, creativity and finishing should give the defending champions plenty to think about.
Nkunku's loan return to Leipzig has been a hugely welcome one for the Saxony club, and the Frenchman appears to be rediscovering the form that made him one of the Bundesliga’s most feared attackers during his first spell in Germany.
The 28-year-old produced a devastating display against Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 5, scoring a first-half hat-trick as Leipzig ran riot in a 6-0 victory. His three goals took his tally to four in the Bundesliga this season, having previously opened his account in the 5-0 demolition of Hamburg on Matchday 3.
“He has a tremendous shot, great passing ability and the necessary composure in the penalty area," Leipzig head coach Martín Demichelis said of Nkunku after the Frankfurt win.
Watch: All 51 of Nkunku's Bundesliga goals
Alongside Nkunku, Nusa has emerged as another major attacking threat for Leipzig. The Norway international has enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign, combining his trademark pace and dribbling ability with an increasingly impressive end product.
The 21-year-old was instrumental in Leipzig’s 5-0 victory over Hamburg on Matchday 3, scoring once and providing two assists, including the pass for Nkunku’s goal. Speaking after that win in September, Nusa stated: “I always believe in my qualities... maybe I didn’t get the output I deserved last season, but I work hard, and I just try to help and score as much as possible.”
He was equally influential against Frankfurt, again setting up Nkunku’s first goal before getting on the scoresheet himself shortly after half-time. With two goals and three assists across those two victories alone, he has found top gear heading into the Bayern clash.
Perhaps most encouragingly for Leipzig, the understanding between Nusa and Nkunku appears to be developing rapidly. Another productive outing next time out against the champions would provide further evidence of their burgeoning partnership.
Bayern remain one of the Bundesliga’s most formidable sides, but there have been signs that they can be got at defensively. Their 2-2 draw with Augsburg on Matchday 5 was a case in point. Vincent Kompany's side conceded the fastest goal in Bundesliga history after just 8.37 seconds and later fell behind for a second time before fighting back to salvage a point. They also shipped three in a midweek draw with Norway's Viking in the UEFA Champions League.
Their potential frailties at the back, combined with Leipzig's scintillating attacking form, set the stage for an intriguing contest in Munich. “We need to show what we’ve produced in our last three home games with the same courage and conviction away from home as well," Demichelis stated ahead of the tie.
Stopping Bayern in Munich remains one of the toughest assignments in German football, and it goes without saying that Leipzig will have plenty to contend with at the other end of the pitch.
But with Nkunku finding his goalscoring touch and Nusa providing the spark alongside him, Leipzig travel to Bavaria with two attackers capable of giving Bayern’s defence a serious test. If their recent form is anything to go by, the reigning champions cannot afford to give either of them an inch.
