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Warm up for the New York Red Bulls’ MLS Eastern Conference Final clash with Atlanta United by catching Papa Red Bull’s Collaboration RalfBall Derby in the latest round of the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League.
RBs Salzburg and Leipzig were drawn together in Group B of this season’s Europa League. The teams have already played each other once - in Leipzig at the end of September - with Salzburg taking all the points thanks to a last-minute winner from former RBNY player Fredrik Gulbrandsen.
Fredrik Gulbrandsen on the aftermath of his match-winning goal against RB Leipzig:
— Red Bull Hub (@RedBullHub) October 18, 2018
"The goal was a great experience. But when I was laying underneath, the air was gone for a moment. That was scary." [Salzburger Nachrichten] #RBSalzburg pic.twitter.com/grq5oxz4I5
Salzburg is currently unbeaten in the group, sitting in first place with maximum points: 12 from four games. Leipzig has a more modest record - two wins and two losses for six points - and lies second, ahead of Celtic on goal difference.
Given that the two Red Bull clubs are so close Salzburg once dressed a player in a Leipzig shirt for a competitive game, this match will be closely watched for evidence of collaboration. Red Bull execs naturally deny the charge, and they have the result of the first leg to support their argument: Leipzig getting turned over at home by a team most famous for sending its best players to RBL was hardly the expected outcome.
Still, any result in this game that isn’t a Salzburg win will be accompanied by whispers of the RB teams acting in accordance with some sort of agreement between them. RBL needs points and if gets one or three off Salzburg, there will inevitably be someone somewhere suggesting this is merely the latest donation from Austria to Leipzig’s cause.
None of that chatter need affect RBNY fans, for whom this game is merely an opportunity for a RalfBall appetizer before the main course is served at Red Bull Arena in Harrison.
Per worldsoccertalk.com, here’s where to find the game if watching from the USA: