Status: 01/27/2023 10:33 p.m
RB Leipzig put Bayern Munich under pressure with a home win in the Bundesliga against VfB Stuttgart in the title fight.
With the 2-1 (1-0) win against VfB Stuttgart on Friday (January 27th, 2023), Leipzig moved up to just one point behind Bayern Munich. Bayern welcome Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (6:30 p.m.). For VfB, the situation in the table basement remains precarious, in the worst case, 17th place could threaten at the end of the matchday.
Szoboszlai secured the success of Leipzig with a free kick goal (25th) and a shot from the edge of the penalty area (49th), who is now unbeaten in 16 competitive games. Chris Führich (68′, hand penalty) shortened the lead for VfB, who also failed to win in the third game under coach Bruno Labbadia.
Szoboszlai with luck to the opening goal
The guests immediately played courageously, although five regular players had been injured or suspended in the past few days and Labbadia had to completely reorganize their offensive line of three. While RB could hardly get through with his ball possession football at the beginning, Stuttgart was stable and lurked for a counterattack.
Captain Wataru Endo intercepted a sloppy pass from RB defender Willi Orban to Xaver Schlager and immediately sent starting XI debutant Thomas Kastanaras (9th) down. From the edge of the penalty area, the 20-year-old failed at Leipzig goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.
Leipzig only became more compelling in the middle of the first half and took the lead through a goalkeeper error from Stuttgart. Szoboszlai’s free-kick from 32 meters out was not very dangerous, but VfB goalkeeper Florian Müller went wide (25′). A little later, Silva (32nd) – again after a space flank – headed to the left outer post.
Szoboszlai scores again, Stuttgart only with the connection
After the break, Stuttgart’s Nikolas Nartey (46th) appeared free in front of Leipzig goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, but shot just wide. Then Silva headed a clearance attempt from VfB professional Josha Vagnoman to Szoboszlai, who plucked the ball out of the air and threw it into the net (49′).
Stuttgart came back in the 68th minute: Josko Gvardiol’s handball led to a penalty after referee Felix Zwayer checked it on screen, which Chris Führich converted (68′). Stuttgart then pushed for an equaliser, but Leipzig took the lead over time.
In a duel for the ball: Leipzig’s Timo Werner and Hiroki Ito from VfB Stuttgart
Image: IMAGO / Picture Point LE
Leipzig and Stuttgart initially in the DFB Cup
Before the league continues, Stuttgart is challenged in Paderborn (Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 6 p.m.). One day later, Leipzig welcomes TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (6 p.m.).
On the 19th matchday of the Bundesliga, Leipzig is a guest in Cologne (Saturday, February 4th at 3:30 p.m.). Stuttgart meets promoted Werder Bremen a day later (3.30 p.m.).
Source: sportschau.de