Two of the world’s most promising and prolific young talents – Jude Bellingham and Christopher Nkunku – went head-to-head in Borussia Dortmund Vs RB Leipzig Bundesliga clash on Friday.
It was a battle of the titans between two of the most in-form Bundesliga teams featuring soon-to-be Chelsea star Nkunku and Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester United target Jude Bellingham.
Leipzig proved a better side despite the hostile and unfriendly uproar of Dortmund fans at Signal Iduna Park. They wrestled the game from the home side, wielded more possession, and dominated play.
Leipzig fired 17 shots with 6 on target and wielded over 60% of the ball possession. However, they stumbled against Borussia Dortmund’s prolific run in 2023.
Dortmund have maintained a 100% record in 2023 winning all their fixtures and they replicated the feat against Leipzig despite playing second fiddle to the visitors throughout the game.
Two first-half goals from Reus and Emre Can were enough to secure a win despite conceding late in the 74th minute when Forsberg pull one back for Leipzig.
Apart from the thrills from the clash of the two Bundesliga giants, pundits and fans were equally gearing up for a showdown between Jude Bellingham and Christopher Nkunku.
The two youngsters did not only have to play for their teams but wage a supremacy battle to the glee of their expanding fan base.
Pundits also had the opportunity to dot the “I”s and cross the “T”s in their assessment of the two players who have thrown fans into endless banters on who gets the bragging rights.
In the 2022/23 Bundesliga season, Jude Bellingham and Christopher Nkunku have gone head-to-head with goals and assists stats for their clubs. Hence, the matchup was an interesting episode in the subtle rivalry between the two players.
Before the game, Jude Bellingham,19, has played 30 games for Borussia Dortmund, score 10 goals, and bagged 6 assists.
Christopher Nkunku, 25, played 26 games, score 17 goals, and bagged 5 assists.
Interestingly, in the Bundesliga matchup on 3rd March, both players started the game and played the full 90 minutes. Bellingham had just one shot in the game with no goal or assist with a 4.5 match rating.
Nkunku had 3 shots with no goal or assist with a 3.9 match rating.
In Champions League this season, Jude Bellingham has made 6 appearances for Dortmund, scoring 4 goals and delivering one assist.
In the DDB-Pokal, he has played 3 matches, scored two goals, and delivered one assist. In all competitions, he has made 31 appearances for Borussia Dortmund with 10 goals and 6 assists.
On the other hand, Christopher Nkunku has made 7 Champions League appearances for RB Leipzig with 3 goals and one assist.
In DFL-Supercup and DFB-Pokal, Nkunku has made one appearance each, scoring one goal in each of the competitions. He bagged one assist in the DFL-Supercup.
In all competitions, he has made 27 appearances for Leipzig with 17 goals and five assists.
Who is better between the two players?
Playing both deep and attacking midfield roles, Jude Bellingham has always been tipped by pundits as a complete package than Christopher Nkunku.
Jude Bellingham can play both holding and attacking roles in the middle of the park. He can trigger attacks, functioning very well on the counter. He can also hold the ball, defend and resist pressures, and equally score and assist goals.
Christopher Nkunku is a midfielder but plays well in an attacking capacity than defending role. His pace and dribbling skills make him perfect in attacking setup. He can play a central or out wide role.
Nkunku scores and assists as well but cannot reckon with Jude Bellingham on holding and defensive midfield role.
