By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Unleashed celebrations in a Berlin nightclub followed what can be seen as a milestone victory for the remarkably young Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.

Only 13 years after its foundation, the club broke through what for some time has felt like an invisible but impenetrable wall.

Taking the 2022 German Cup in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out (4-2) against the robust underdog SC Freiburg stands for a breakthrough of a disputed football project ongoingly dividing the community of fans.

Officially founded in 2009 and based on a license of a fifth-tier side, the East-German side made its way to the top of German and European football accompanied by vast expectations and critics.

Huge investments of the club owner, an energy-drink manufacturer, have fuelled the upswing significantly.

But Leipzig's leader board proved laudable resilience sticking to its convincing concept to count on young players.

Developing high-class talents instead of signing well-fed stars paid off despite the club going through a series of failed opportunities to win a title.

The Berlin victory stands for the happy ending of a journey containing two lost German Cup finals in 2019 and 2021 and two lost semifinals on the European stage in the 2019 Champions League campaign and the 2022 Euro League season.

"I am here for seven years now. This achievement means so much for the team, the club and the city," Hungarian international Peter Gulacsi said.

The goalkeeper called the club's trip an "unbelievable journey".

Ahead of the final in the Olympic stadium, the Leipzig project faced internal and external pressure endangering its future. Joining the circle of the so-called big sons of football requires at some stage winning a title.

After having secured the 2022/2023 Champions League participation in the national league, the team of coach Domenico Tedesco managed to kick the can down the road taking the club's first silverware.

"We have to review what we have achieved over the past 13 years after we went through a historic evening," club CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said.

Christopher Nkunku might be an example proving developments on a high level are possible when continuously following a convincing strategy. The 24-year-old striker joined from Paris in 2019 for 13 million euros.

Meanwhile the forward increased his value significantly aside from delivering 35 goals and 16 assists this season while making his way into the French national team.

Gulacsi is one of six players that have been around for seven years as part of the journey up from the third or second division to the Bundesliga.

"To win the Cup after several setbacks speaks for our mentality. In the end being rewarded with a trophy is telling the story," the 32-year-old stated.

Leipzig might still have to go a long way to convince the majority of fans as most supporters complain about the setup of an artificial construction.

Considering German clubs' difficulties to address modern football requirements while trying to secure international competitiveness, it could be worthwhile to take a closer look at Leipzig's way.

Massive investments can lead to success if carried out thoughtfully despite the lack of tradition and history. Hertha BSC might stand for a failed project as internal unrest and constant changes jeopardized the investment of 375 million euros. Enditem

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