Borussia lose 4-1 in Leipzig

On matchday 15 of the Bundesliga, the Foals suffered a 4-1 defeat away to RB Leipzig. Ramy Bensebaini’s goal was not enough to avert defeat.

The hosts set the early tone in front of empty stands at the Red Bull Arena. After the side from Saxony had let several good chances pass them by, Josko Gvardiol headed in the opener after 21 minutes. The Foals came into the game after that, but it was short-lived and André Silva doubled the Leipzig lead a little after the half-hour mark. Leipzig controlled proceedings and attempted to kill the game off early before the game came to a hectic end. First, Ramy Bensebaini scored to cut the deficit to 2-1 (88’) but Leipzig soon put the game beyond doubt in injury time. Christopher Nkunku (90’+1) and Benjamin Henrichs (90’+4) padded the lead as the game finished 4-1.

LINE-UP

Borussia head coach Adi Hütter made two changes to the side that lost 6-0 to SC Freiburg last week. Lars Stindl and Breel Embolo started in place of Stefan Lainer and Alassane Plea as Hütter reverted back to a 4-2-3-1 formation. The back four ahead of Yann Sommer consisted of Joe Scally, Matthias Ginter, Nico Elvedi and Ramy Bensebaini. Manu Koné and Denis Zakaria manned the central midfield spots behind the attacking trio of Jonas Hofmann, Lars Stindl and Marcus Thuram. Breel Embolo was the lone striker.

PERSONNEL

Borussia were without Jordan Beyer (thigh muscle injury) and Mamadou Doucouré, who suffered a set-back in training after a torn Achilles.

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

7’: A first good chance for Leipzig. Mukiele takes on a shot after Stindl loses the ball. Sommer spills the ball out in front of him but Laimer sends the ball over the bar and well clear of the net.

10’: Another opportunity for the host. Nkunku tees up Kampl down the left flank and the Slovenian crosses for André Silva whose attempt flies narrowly wide of goal.

19’: Leipzig continue to pile on the pressure. Nkunku is set free in front of Sommer and attempts to go right of the ‘keeper, but our number one manages to get a foot to the ball to avert the danger.

21’: Leipzig take the lead. Gvardiol has a free header from an Angelino free-kick, and Sommer has no chance. 1-0.

22’: At the other end, Thuram gives it to Embolo after a cross from Scally, but Embolo’s effort goes over

32’: Hofmann sends the ball into the box where Elvedi meets it at the back post. The header goes over.

33’: Leipzig make it 2-0. After some nice combination play, it's Angelino who sends a dangerous ball in. Silva has to score from close range - and does. 2-0.

34’: Nkunku let's fly from distance and it's just a touch too high.

45’: Sommer makes an outstanding stop. The Swiss shows off some impressive reactions to deny Silva.

 

SECOND-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

51’: That ought to have been three for the hosts. A poor pass from Sommer leads to an opportunity for Silva on the edge of the box, but the striker can't keep his chip down.

53’: Stindl tries one from range but the shot is straight down the pipe and Gulacsi saves comfortably.

62’: Leipzig look dangerous again on the counter. Forsberg fires left of the post.

74’: Sommer to the rescue again. Nkunku charges down on goal from a tight angle and looks to find the far corner. The keeper is there to make the save, though.

82’: Embolo gets onto the end of a cross from Bénes, but Gulacsi takes charge and claims the looping header.

88': A late ray of hope for Borussia. Ginter heads it back into the middle from the byline. Embolo misses the ball but Bensebaini reacts fastest, performing some impressive gymnastics to fire it into the net. 2-1!

90’+1: Leipzig wrap things up with a third. Borussia throw the kitchen sink forward, leading to a counter for the hosts. Nkunku is one-on-one against Sommer and a well-placed effort leaves our man with no chance. 3-1.

90’+4: Leipzig add another. Nkunku gives it to Henrichs in the area, and the defender sends a well-placed effort past Sommer and into the far corner.

STATISTICS

Leipzig: Gulacsi – Simakan, Orban (63' Henrichs), Gvardiol – Mukiele, Laimer (71' Adams), Kampl, Angelino, Nkunku, Forsberg (63' Szoboszlai) – Silva (84' Brobbey)

Borussia: Sommer – Scally, Ginter, Elvedi, Bensebaini – Koné, Zakaria – Hofmann (54' Bénes), Stindl (76' Plea), Thuram – Embolo / Bench: Sippel, Lainer, Kramer, Netz, Herrmann, Wolf, Neuhaus

Goals: 1-0 Gvardiol (21'), 2-0 Silva (33'), 2-1 Bensebaini (88'), 3-1 Nkunku (90'0+1), 4-1 Henrichs (90'+4)

Attendance: 0

Yellow cards: Orban, Gvardiol, Simakan – Hütter, Embolo, Stindl

Referee: Bastian Dankert

Breel Embolo returned to the starting XI.
Lars Stindl picked up his fifth booking this season and will therefore miss the match against Frankfurt.
Ramy Bensebaini scored in the 88th minute to make it 2-1.

11.12.2021

Seoane: "Give everything in order to be successful"

Ahead of Borussia's upcoming home game against SC Freiburg on Saturday afternoon (15:30 CET), head coach Gerardo Seoane spoke to the press and answered questions from journalists. We've summed up all the key quotes from today.

28.03.2024

Koné suffers thigh strain

The Foals will have to do without Manu Koné in the next few weeks. The midfielders suffered a thigh strain in the France U23 national team’s friendly against the USA.

28.03.2024

Jordan: "The last eight games are very important"

In an interview, Jordan spoke about the start of this week’s training, Gladbach’s upcoming clash with SC Freiburg (Saturday, 15:30 CET) and his season so far.

27.03.2024