Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 7y

RB Leipzig not normal promoted club - Cologne director Jorg Schmadtke

FC Cologne sporting director Jorg Schmadtke has said it is "ridiculous" to compare RB Leipzig to other newly promoted sides.

Leipzig have been the surprise package of the Bundesliga season so far, winning 24 of a possible 30 points and behind leaders Bayern Munich only on goal difference.

They are bankrolled by Austrian soft drink company Red Bull and have faced criticism from rival fans for undermining the "German" idea of football.

And Cologne sporting director Jorg Schmadtke told kicker: "What I dislike about Leipzig is that they argue as if they were a normal newly promoted club.

"That's just not true. They deal fantastically with their resources. They do a good job in every respect."

He said the club "shouldn't compare themselves to Darmstadt," adding: "That's where it gets ridiculous. And we don't need that."

Cologne are one of only three teams to take a point from Lepizig, who had a negative transfer balance of €50 million this summer, when they drew at home in September.

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