RB Leipzig enjoy successful start to pre-season with 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar
RB Leipzig defeat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge | Lazar Samardzic scores the winning goal for the Red Bulls (52‘) | Dominik Szoboszlai makes RBL debut | 600 fans in attendance as allowance sold out at Cottaweg
Successful start for Jesse Marsch! In the first game under new head coach Jesse Marsch, RB Leipzig overcame AZ Alkmaar 1-0. The only goal of the game came through Lazar Samardzic in the 52nd minute. 22 Red Bulls were in action, including debutant Dominik Szoboszlai and new arrival Mohamed Simakan. 600 fans were present at a sold-out Cottaweg.
Fans watching live either in the ground or on stream witnessed a tough battle between the two sides from the opening minutes, with neither team allowing their opponent much build-up play or many goalscoring chances. The first chance of the game came through Hee-chan Hwang, whose shot was blocked in the 4th minute after some good work from Alexander Sørloth. Shortly before the break it was Hwang again, who played a one-two with Sørloth but could not find space for a clean shot on goal after Szoboszlai had won possession for his side.
Jesse Marsch made wholesale changes at the break, with goalkeeper Josep Martínez the only RBL player to return for the second half. Despite the changes, the mission was the same and the new-look Red Bulls looked to attack from the off. Ben Klefisch played a fperfect cross into the area, which was brought down brilliantly by Samardzic. The number 20 made a good contact with the ball from close range but was denied by a great save from the AZ keeper (47’). Just five minutes later, however, Laki left the Dutch shot-stopper with no chance, bringing down a ball before cutting in and firing low and hard into the near corner for the opening goal (52’). AZ, who also with a heavily rotated side, looked to find the answer but saw their efforts hit the outside of the post or saved by substitute goalkeeper Philipp Tschauner. With no more goals at either end, RBL saw the game out to record a deserved 1-0 win.
Head coach Jesse Marsch on the game, Dominik Szoboszlai and pre-season
“Qualitatively, it definitely wasn’t our best game, but the boys fought hard, worked well against the ball and kept a clean sheet, which is always good. We definitely have work ahead of us, but it was a solid start.
We have so much quality in our squad and if we play a bit ore aggressively, we can create more dangerous moments. That was AZ Alkmaar’s fifth game and our first, and we won. There’s definitely room for improvement, but all in all, I’m pleased with our performance. We need more clarity in our play when in possession, which is what we’re aiming for.
We have a great team with a strong mentality. I’m very pleased with the first two weeks of pre-season.
Dominik Szoboszlai is fit, but he needs more playing time and rhythm. It’s been six months since he played a game. It’s a similar situation with Mohamed Simakan. However, I’m pleased with both of their performances. The boys fought really hard, especially in the first half."