Just over a week after the disastrous 4-1 home defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk, RB Leipzig has regained some respect in the Champions League – but lost 2-0 at Real Madrid at the end of a good game. After a multitude of chances for Leipzig, the Uruguayan offensive power Federico Valverde (80th) and substitute Marco Asensio (90th + 1) brought Leipzig out of their reward for their self-sacrificing work. After two matchdays, the DFB Cup winner is pointless at the end of the Champions League Group F table.
How difficult Real Madrid was against Leipzig could be assessed after a good half hour. Because then Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti burst the hat cord. His team had not found the right approach to the game against Leipzig, and the Italian mister flailed his arms in dissatisfaction. In midfield, his team had no access to the ball and opponents, the result was that Leipzig repeatedly had chances to score with well-rehearsed switching games.
In the 5th minute, Christopher Nkunku appeared alone in front of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois because Xaver Schlager had intercepted a bad pass from Vinícius Jr. and played the ball straight into free space. Courtois parried. In the 21st minute, Emil Forsberg shot wide of the right corner of the goal with a shot from the penalty area; seven minutes later, the extremely active Timo Werner lobbed a ball behind the defense; Courtois just got the ball, which Nkunku tried to sneak into the goal. Of similar quality was the chance Werner created when he aimed across at Nkunku in the penalty area – but the Frenchman slipped just wide of the ball.
Only when the first half was drawing to a close did Real Madrid come dangerously in front of the Leipzig goal. Once through a shot by Modric from 18 meters, the second time when he was rammed by Xaver Schlager in the penalty area – and with some justification claimed a penalty that didn’t come. But the whistles that could be heard at half-time in the Bernabéu were not aimed at the referee. But the own team, which seemed shy and dull compared to the energetic guests from Germany.
Nkunku misses some opportunities in Madrid
Coach Marco Rose had basically sent the same eleven into the race that had impressed four days earlier against Dortmund and won 3-0. Amadou Haidara played in place of Konrad Laimer, who was absent due to injury, without there being any loss of tension or quality. Ancelotti, on the other hand, had sent an overdose of substitute players onto the field, which probably also contributed to Real Madrid’s lack of flow and authority.
Among others, Toni Kroos sat on the bench for a long time. That continued after the break, although the Madrilenians have always turned up the heat after halves this season: the goal difference in second halves of Real Madrid games is 14-0 before the game against Leipzig.
But it wasn’t until the 72nd minute that Madrid made Leipzig sweat, after a counterattack by Federico Valverde landed at Vinícius’ feet. Gulasci shortened the angle and parried. Shortly thereafter, coach Rose Amadou Haidara and Mohamed Simakan replaced Kevin Kampl and Benjamin Henrichs. The goal of the Madrilenians fell over the right side of the defense of the Leipzig team.
Vinícius got the better of Henrichs and saved Valverde, whom they call ‘little bird’. He flew around Diallo, put the ball on his left foot and shot in low from 14 yards. In the end, Marco Asensio increased to 2-0, who had been whistled when he was substituted on. He hit the corner after a flat free kick from Kroos – and left dejected Leipzigers behind.