This being their maiden season in the German top flight, it is nigh on impossible to profile RB Leipzig without focusing on their controversial journey to the Bundesliga summit. Previously a fifth-tier team from the east German region of Saxony called SSV Markranstädt, the club’s licence was bought in 2009 by the Austrian energy drink manufacturer Red Bull, who promptly rebranded their acquisition by changing their name, crest and kit before beginning their quick ascent through the divisions.
Despite being unable to call themselves Red Bull Leipzig due to DFB regulations (the RB “officially” stands for “RasenBallsport”, which means “lawn sports”), they are unequivocally part of a stable of sports franchises that includes their Austrian feeder club FC Red Bull Salzburg, Red Bull Brasil, Red Bull Ghana, New York Red Bulls and Formula One’s Red Bull Racing. Constructs do not get more artificial, so it is little surprise they have become the most hated football club in Germany.
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