Leipzig want to prove in Dortmund they are worthy Bundesliga leaders

By John Bagratuni, dpa:   RB Leipzig want to prove at third-placed Borussia Dortmund that they deserve to be at the top of the Bundesliga table. For their forward Timo Werner the outcome could be defining for the rest of the season.

Berlin (dpa) – RB Leipzig visit Borussia Dortmund in a Bundesliga top match on Tuesday with plenty of confidence as they have returned to the top of the table.

And for Leipzig’s Germany striker Timo Werner the game at resurgent Dortmund in third could even define whether they are ready to play for the title in only their fourth top flight season.

“It will be an exciting game. A lot is at stake, it will set the tone for the rest of the season,” said Werner who has scored 16 goals in the league.

Coach Julian Nagelsmann said the team can “gain a very interesting points advantage, if we win,” over Dortmund and others.

In a season which has seen all top teams go through some kind of slump, Leipzig were leaders for three rounds in September before failing to win in four games.

They have now returned to form, going to Dortmund on the back of six straight victories and a goal difference of 25-6 in those games.

Leipzig are two points clear of dethroned Borussia Moenchengladbach and four ahead of the self-proclaimed title candidates Dortmund who have also returned to form after some difficult times with three straight wins.

“It is a top match. We play at home and we want to win,” Dortmund sports director Michael Zorc said.

Captain Marco Reus has urged the team to be “on fire” in a matchup between teams who play a very similar style of high pressing and fast attacks.

Dortmund have regained their stability by changing their formation from 4-3-3 to 3-4-3, with the players allegedly having to convince coach Lucien Favre to make this switch.

Dortmund won both games against Leipzig last season but the eastern Germans appear to have taken another step forward since Nagelsmann arrived in summer.