RB Leipzig secured their first away points of the Bundesliga season with a 2-0 win at FC Schalke 04 on matchday 8. Antonio Nusa opened the scoring from the penalty spot (37’), before Rômulo sealed the victory in the second half (78’).

Martín Demichelis’ side took control of the game early on but initially struggled to break down a well-organised Schalke defence. Just after the half-hour mark, Satoshi Tanaka caught Rômulo inside the penalty area, giving RBL the chance to take the lead from the spot. Nusa stepped up and emphatically converted the penalty (37’).

The Red Bulls thought they had doubled their advantage just before half time when Rômulo tucked away the rebound from a Brajan Gruda effort. However, a VAR review ruled out the goal after replays showed that the ball had already gone out of play (45’+3).

Nusa and Rômulo make the difference

RBL continued to threaten after the break. Ezechiel Banzuzi combined with Nusa before forcing an excellent save from Schalke goalkeeper Loris Karius (54’). The former Liverpool keeper was called into action again shortly afterwards, this time denying Nusa. Schalke had chances of their own, with Rômulo forced to clear off the line following a corner (49’). The hosts looked to increase the pressure, but the RBL defence stood firm.

The decisive second goal arrived in the 78th minute following a well-worked team move. Christoph Baumgartner started the attack, Tidiam Gomis found Nusa, and the Norwegian squared the ball for Rômulo to finish from close range.

Nusa was the standout performer, playing a direct part in both goals. The winger now has four goals and six assists from eight Bundesliga appearances this season, putting him top of the league’s goal contribution charts with ten.

Line-ups

RB Leipzig: Vandevoordt – Henrichs (76' Baku), Orbán, Lukeba, Raum – El Aynaoui, Banzuzi (85' Seiwald), Reitz (61' Baumgartner) – Gruda (76' Gomis), Rômulo (85' Bakayoko), Nusa

FC Schalke 04: Karius – T. Becker (83' Dina Ebimbe), Katić, Kuruçay, V. Becker – Ayhan (68' Džeko), Tanaka, Aouchiche – Hwang (83' Lasme), Karaman, Adamu (57' Ljubičić)