By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The German Bundesliga approaching the finish line couldn't be more exciting with parvenu RB Leipzig challenging the record champions Bayern Munich on Saturday.
Other than an ordinary league clash, it's a battle about future in the country's football, with two acts as the league game is to be followed by the 2019 Cup final on May 25.
With a win, the Bavarians could secure their seventh consecutive national title, while Leipzig intend to overthrow the German football kings to satisfy their own interests.
"We want to prove to Bayern we are already one of the country's bests," said Leipzig coach and sports-director Ralf Rangnick.
The German Cup could be Leipzig's first ever significant title in their 10-year history, and also an ideal farewell gift to the 60-year-old Rangnick, who is to hand over the coaching job to Julian Nagelsmann, after already qualifying for the 2019/20 Champions League.
"To beat them would give us additional motivation and self-confidence regarding the final," said Rangnick.
While Bayern are surely a hard nut to crack as they remain unbeaten for 17 games so far, Swedish striker Emil Forsberg had his voice, saying "We don't want to see them celebrate in our arena. They can party a week later in Munich, but not in Leipzig."
Within a few years, Leipzig have become the closest rivals for the established forces of Bayern and Dortmund.
"They are already No. 3 in German football," Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said, adding "We keep our fingers crossed for them this Saturday, but still don't like their general structure."
Dortmund would be the biggest beneficiaries if Bayern lose in Leipzig, as they would be back to the title race with only one point behind and the last round of matches remaining.
Fans might oppose to the nouveau riche nature of Leipzig as their energy drink producer owner had huge investment recent years, providing the club with new faces from his other teams in Salzburg, New York, Brazil and Ghana.
But both Bayern and Dortmund are clear that their lonesome time in the German club football is over, and will surely turn their heads to catch glimpses of the games whenever Leipzig play.
Tensions reached a climax concerning striker Timo Werner. The German international is said to have agreed to join Bayern this summer or in 2020 when his Leipzig contract expires.
