Could Szoboszlai lead RB Leipzig on Villarreal-like run?

Villarreal punched above their weight against the titans of the Champions League to advance to the semi-finals of the competition. They knocked out Juventus and Bayern Munich on their way to the last four before giving Liverpool an almighty scare. The Yellow Submarine was eventually undone by the Reds, but proved that teams do not necessarily need big budgets or to be stacked with talent at all levels to make a deep run in the competition.

Teams of the ilk of RB Leipzig should take plenty of heart with their rising star Dominik Szoboszlai at the center of a potential run next season. The German outfit has already proven that they can compete with the best in Europe with a great run in the Europa League. However, they will want to be considered for a bet on Champions League next season among the outsiders for the crown and to make a decisive impact in the competition, unlike the 2021/22 campaign where they failed to advance out of the group stage.

Szoboszlai could be the key component that allows RB Leipzig to make a charge as he was the standout for the club in the group stage, despite their failure. The 21-year-old was impressive against Paris Saint-Germain and held his cool under pressure to net a late penalty on home soil to earn Leipzig a share of the spoils against the French outfit. The Hungary international then pulled the strings for Domenico Tedesco’s men against Manchester City in their final group game, once more finding the net in a 2-1 victory.

The 21-year-old has proved that he can dominate matches against top teams, but now needs the support around him. Leipzig will be in a battle to retain his services and that of Christopher Nkunku in the summer, but if the German outfit can keep hold of their two main starlets in the middle of the park there is a base for Tedesco to work with to attempt to make deep inroads to the Champions League. Unai Emery and Villarreal laid down the blueprint, with the requirement for a solid base in defense and the ability to be clinical on the counter. Nkunku and Szoboszlai can take care of that aspect alongside Andre Silva in the final third, but another Hungary international has to improve his form.

Willi Orban has been reliable for Leipzig in the Bundesliga. However, he and his teammates have been exposed by the better sides in Europe too easily, notably in their 6-3 defeat to City and 4-1 hammering at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. At the age of 29, Leipzig face a difficult decision regarding the future of the vice-captain, which could be further complicated if rising talent Josko Gvardiol were to leave the club. The onus will be on Tedesco to provide the balance that is required of a Champions League hopeful to go all the way and allow his attacking players to flourish in the final third.

Villarreal has shown the way forward for the so-called lesser lights of European football to make an impact against the elite. Leipzig could be the next best bet to make a similar move in the 2022/23 campaign if they are able to qualify for the tournament.