Borussia fell to a 2-0 defeat away at RB Leipzig on Saturday evening of Matchday 22. Head coach Gerardo Seoane’s side put in a committed performance, but hardly created any good chances.
The 44,822 spectators at the Red Bull Arena saw an intense game dominated by individual duels in the first half. Borussia combated Leipzig’s dangerous combination play with lots of effort and passion, but also hardly created any promising chances in attack. The hosts went into the break with a 1-0 lead thanks to Xavi Simons finishing off their best move of the half with a stunning volley after a quarter of an hour (14’).
The Foals started the second half with more energy and had a little more of the play, but they still didn’t produce any clear cut chances. Leipzig waited for opportunities to counterattack and made the most of one of these in the 57th minute to make it 2-0. The Foals continued to look for a gap in RBL’s defence in the following stages, but failed to find a consolation goal as Nathan Ngoumou missed their best chances. Leipzig produced one or two dangerous efforts courtesy of rapid counterattacks in the closing stages, but the score remained 2-0 until the full-time whistle.
The game was overshadowed by sad news among both sets of fans. A Borussia fan lost his life in a traffic accident on Saturday night. There was also then a medical emergency in the home section of the ground during the game. Unfortunately, the affected person couldn’t be saved and passed away in the ground. Our deepest condolences go to the families and friends of both fans.
TEAM NEWS
Head coach Gerardo Seoane made two changes to his starting eleven following the 0-0 draw against SV Darmstadt 98. Rocco Reitz returned to the side in place of the injured Florian Neuhaus, whilst Joe Scally replaced Franck Honorat. Therefore, the back three was once again made up of Nico Elvedi, Ko Itakura and Max Wöber in front of Moritz Nicolas. Scally and Luca Netz started the game as wing-backs, whilst Julian Weigl and Manu Koné lined-up alongside Reitz in midfield. Robin Hack and Jordan formed Borussia’s attack.
Florian Neuhaus (muscle problems), Alassane Plea (bruised foot), Christoph Kramer (muscle problems) and Tony Jantschke (ill) were not available for the game against RBL. Additionally, Tomáš Čvančara (ankle ligament tear) and Jonas Omlin (rehab) were absent due to their injuries.
FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS
2’: The hosts produce the first dangerous chance of the game. Olmo plays Poulsen in, but Itakura manages to deflect his shot behind for a corner with a last-ditch block.
14’: Leipzig take the lead! Olmo and Poulsen to set up Simons, who flicks the ball up into the air with his right thigh and then produces a stunning finish into the far left corner – 1-0.
18’: Nicolas denies Simons! A ball into the box from the right-hand side reaches Simons via Poulsen, and he is able to get a shot off from a central position eleven yards out.
SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS
57’: Leipzig double their lead! Raum plays a ball in behind, with Openda lobbing the ball over Nicolas and into the back of the net. The goal is initially ruled out for offside, but the goal is awarded following a VAR review.
68’: Jordan receives the ball in the centre and lays it off for Ngoumou. The Frenchman takes aim at the far corner with a curling effort, but the ball goes narrowly wide of the target.
73’: Sesko is played in behind and tests Nicolas with a good effort headed for the far corner. Borussia’s goalkeeper makes another superb save with his feet.
82’: Almost a goal back! Jordan gets on the end of Honorat’s cross from the right-hand side. However, his header goes just wide of the left post.
STATISTICS
Leipzig: Gulácsi – Henrichs, Klostermann (Simakan 23’), Orban, Raum (Lukeba 78’) – Haidara (Seiwald 67’), Schlager – Olmo (Baumgartner 78’), Simons – Openda, Poulsen (Sesko 67’) // Unused substitutes: Blaswich, Chadaille Bitshiabu, Elmas, Kampl
Borussia: Nicolas – Elvedi, Itakura (Friedrich 69’), Wöber (Lainer 59’) – Scally (Ngoumou 59’), Weigl, Netz – Reitz (Fukuda 85’), Koné – Hack (Honorat 69’), Jordan // Unused substitutes: Olschowsky, Chiarodia, Herrmann, Ranos
Goals: 1-0 Simons (14’), 2-0 Openda (57’)
Yellow cards: Schlager – Elvedi, Itakura, Koné, Weigl, Jordan
Attendance: 44,822
Referee: Sören Storks
