RB Leipzig are like Klopp's Dortmund - Halstenberg

Bundesliga high-flyers RB Leipzig are showing many similarities to Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund team, according to Marcel Halstenberg, who is in awe of the “unbelievable” professionalism of the club.

Leipzig have been heavily criticised across Europe since being founded in 2009 by drinks company Red Bull. While they have amassed many detractors, they have also won over many fans with their remarkable start to life in the top flight since their promotion for this season, with their impressive displays, playing style and belief in youth.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men have lost just one game this season and sit level on points at the top of the table with Bayern Munich, whom they face in the final game of 2016 on Wednesday.

Bayern have lacked a challenge for the title since Jurgen Klopp lead Dortmund to consecutive league crowns and the DFB-Pokal as well as a Champions League final, which they lost to their fierce rivals.

But with Thomas Tuchel’s men sitting 10 points behind the joint-leaders, Leipzig are looking to maintain their status as the main contenders alongside Bayern.

And left-back Halstenberg, who spent time at Dortmund, believes the parallels are plentiful.

"Dortmund had a similar way of playing football in the Bundesliga under Jurgen Klopp,” he told 'Goal'.

"In Leipzig people make sure in the youth work that the processes are automated. We are prepared optimal in all ways for our next game to counter fast and be mentally stronger.

"Not only the team is working for it but the team behind the team too. It's unbelievable how meticulous and professional work is done here.

"I played for Dortmund's reserve team in an similar style as here in Leipzig. But here it's more intensive concerning the pressing and our leg work.

"In the first two weeks, I had muscle pains every day. The training here is much more specific and also more strenuous which is, of course, also due the fact that our squad is of a high quality".

Crucial to Leipzig’s rise has been 20-year-old forward Timo Werner, who has scored nine goals and set up two more, and Halstenberg says he has been the most impressive player so far.

"On the pitch, he shows an immense quality. But the whole team has a high level and we have two players in each position who have their qualities. Almost everyone is very young and can still develop enormously".

Halstenberg, 25, has started every game for Leipzig this season, and despite his fine performances, insists he is not thinking about getting a call up to Joachim Low’s Germany team any time soon.

"I would be lying if I said I don't care about the national team,” he said. “But for now, I am concentrating on the club. It's my first Bundesliga season and I want to have great success with Leipzig".