RB Leipzig lose 3-1 to Leverkusen
RB Leipzig lost 3-1 at home to Bayer 04 Leverkusen on matchday 13 | The guests took the lead in the first half through Florian Wirtz and Moussa Diaby | Jeremie Frimpong added a third after André Silva cut the deficit | Dominik Szoboszlai missed from the spot in the closing minutes
RB Leipzig fell 3-1 to Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Bundesliga matchday 13. André Silva scored Leipzig’s only goal of the game.
RBL sent out the the same line-up that started against Brugge in a 5-0 win in the Champions League in mid-week. Assistant coach Achim Beierlorzer was in the dugout once again, deputizing for head coach Jesse Marsch, who is still in quarantine.
Leverkusen got off to a strong start, netting first after just eight minutes. Moussa Diaby’s goal was then disallowed, however, due to an offside in the build-up. In the 21st minute, the guests would then get on the board through Florian Wirtz, who got on the end of a pass from Exequiel Palacios. Diaby then added a second in the 34th minute as he left Josip Martínez with no chance. The guests deservedly went into the break 2-0 up.
Leipzig improved after the break and were rewarded with a goal from André Silva, as he headed in a cross from Christopher Nkunku to cut the deficit. However, the Werkself responded immediately as a shot from Jeremie Frimpong was deflected in by Angeliño (64’).
RBL then had a chance to cut Leverkusen’s lead back down to one late on, as Edmond Tapsoba was penalized for a hand ball inside the box. Dominik Szobozslai’s penalty only hit the post, bouncing off Lukas Hradecky and away from goal (87’). In the end, Leipzig had to accept a 3-1 defeat on home soil and remain in eighth place.
Statistics:
RB LEIPZIG:
Martínez – Angeliño, Forsberg (84’ Haidara), Klostermann (84’ Bonnah), Nkunku, Brobbey (43’ Szoboszlai), Mukiele, Laimer (73’ Henrichs), Gvardiol, Silva, Kampl (C, 73’ Adams)
Subs: Tschauner, Moriba, Raebiger, Wosz
BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN:
Hrádecký (C) - Tah, Andrich (80’ Demirbay), Tapsoba, Schick (62’ Kossounou), Diaby, Palacios, Wirtz, Frimpong, Adli (62’ Aránguiz), Hincapié
Subs: Lunev, Retsos, Sinkgraven, Amiri, Alario, Paulinho
REFEREE:
Benjamin Cortus (Röthenbach a. d. Pegnitz)
YELLOW CARDS:
Forsberg (38’) - Andrich (14’), Hrádecký (82’)
GOALS:
0-1 Wirtz (21’), 0-2 Diaby (34’), 1-2 Silva (62’), 1-3 Frimpong (64’)
ATTENDANCE:
0 | Red Bull Arena Leipzig
First-half highlights:
1st minute:
We’re underway at the Red Bull Arena. Unfortunately, no fans have been allowed to attend tonight’s match.
2nd minute:
Leverkusen record the first shot of the game, as Amine Adli sends a pass from Patrik Schick wide of the target.
8th minute:
Adli finds Moussa Diaby, who slots home the apparent opener. However, the goal is then disallowed after VAR steps in and identifies an offside in the build-up.
16th minute:
Our first good opportunity to score, as Nordi Mukiele finds Josko Gvardiol after a corner. The latter places the ball onto his left foot but he sends it wide.
21st minute, 0-1 Leverkusen:
The guests take the lead. Exequiel Palacios finds Florian Wirtz, who beats Angeliño and leaves goalkeeper Josip Martínez with no chance from close range.
25th minute:
Leverkusen counter quickly, with Schick combining with Diaby, whose shot from just inside the box sails wide of the right post.
34th minute, 0-2 Leverkusen:
Leverkusen double their advantage. Tah picks out Diaby with a long pass as he beats Gvardiol and buries the ball in the back of the net. The Werkself have been very efficient with their chances so far.
40th minute:
As has been the case so far tonight, Leverkusen’s backline has prove difficult to break through. Meanwhile, they have looked to counter quickly after winning possession, which has paid off twice already.
43rd minute:
Beierlorzer makes his first change, bringing on Dominik Szoboszlai for Brian Brobbey, who has struggled on what is his first Bundesliga start for RBL.
Half time:
Leverkusen’s efficiency have them two goals up at the break. RBL will need to show a strong spirit in the second half in order to turn this game around. Come on, Leipzig!
Second-half highlights:
46th minute:
No changes to either side as the game kicks off for the second half. Let’s go!
47th minute:
Big chance to get one back! Nkunku breaks through into the penalty area and the ball finds Konrad Laimer who shoots from the edge of the box. Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký makes a good save.
50th minute:
Our ‘keeper Martínez called upon twice: First he displays nerves of steel to shield the ball from Adli and turn out of trouble after a backpass. Shortly after that, he parries a strike from Leverkusen’s winger from 18 yards.
52nd minute:
André Silva with a headed chance but doesn’t trouble Hrádecký. Another good attack nevertheless. Now to carry on in the same way!
55th minute:
Nkunku! Christo finds some space outside the box but puts his shot wide.
59th minute:
Chances kept coming for RBL. Nkunku gives it to Forsberg in the middle whose deflected shot goes just wide of the right-hand post.
62nd minute, 1-2:
YEEESSSS! Leipzig are back in the game. Nkunku crosses from the left, Silva heads home. More of the same!
64th minute, 1-3 Leverkusen:
We can barely believe it: Leverkusen reply immediately with a huge slice of luck involved. Diaby gives the ball to Frimpong on the right. Angeliño throws himself in front of the shot but the ball deflects off him and over Martínez into the corner. 3-1.
72nd minute:
Diaby nearly nets a second, but he only hits the post as the ball bounces back into play.
84th minute:
Wirtz has a go from range, but his shot sails high over the bar.
86th minute, penalty for Leipzig:
The referee points to the spot after consulting with VAR and awards Leipzig a penalty. Tapsoba handled the ball after jumping up to contest a header.
87th minute:
Oh no! Szoboszlai hits the post from the spot as the ball rebounds and hits Hrádecký before bouncing back into play.
Full-time:
Not our night, as we lose 3-1 to Leverkusen.