Christo scores brace as RBL defeat Bochum 3-0
Bundesliga Matchday 7 | RB Leipzig produce strong performance to defeat VfL Bochum 3-0 | Andre Silva opens the scoring of the bench (69') | Christopher Nkunku secures the win with two chipped goals (73', 78')
3-0 win over Bochum! The Red Bulls were made to wait for a long time, but were finally rewarded for their strong performance in the middle of the second half. Goals came thanks to a link-up between two substitutes and a Nkunku brace.
RBL started the game with a lot of promise and enjoyed a number of strong chances in the first half. Unfortunately for Jesse Marsch’s side, luck wasn’t on their side. A challenge on Yussuf Poulsen in the area was overturned by VAR (3’), before Emil Forsberg struck the crossbar (11’). Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann was also impressive, making a sharp save to deny Christopher Nkunku (29’). Despite a few Bochum chances in the first half, captain Peter Gulácsi left with little to do between the RBL posts.
After a slow opener to the second half, head coach Marsch found the solution, introducing Silva and Szoboszlai from the bench. The two subs linked up instantly, Szoboszlai's corner being headed in by Silva (69’). Under ten minutes later, RBL were three goals to the good thanks to two Christopher Nkunku chips in quick succession (72’, 78’). A clear and deserved win at the Red Bull Arena!
STATISTICS:
RB LEIPZIG:
Gulácsi (C)– Klostermann, Simakan (81' Laimer), Gvardiol – Adams, Kampl (81' Moriba), Haidara, Angeliño (61' Mukiele) – Nkunku, Poulsen (69' Silva), Forsberg (69' Szoboszlai)
Unused substitutes: Martínez, Henrichs, Novoa, Brobbey
VFL BOCHUM:
Riemann – Bockhorn, Mašović, Bella-Kotchap, Soares – Losilla (C), Tesche (82' Osterhage), Rexhbeçaj (78' Blum) – Antwi-Adjei (78' Pantović), Asano (77' Löwen), Holtmann (74' Polter)
Unused substitutes: Esser, Lampropoulos
GOALS:
1-0 Silva (70'), 2-0 Nkunku (73'), 3-0 Nkunku (78')
REFEREE:
Robert Hartmann (Wangen)
YELLOW CARDS:
Angeliño (58'), Tesche (80')
ATTENDANCE:
25,598 | Red Bull Arena Leipzig
FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS:
2nd minute: The game’s first shot on goal goes RBL’s way. Angelino’s free-kick finds Josko Gvardiol, who heads the ball goalwards but into the arms of Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann.
3rd minute: Penalty! Maybe not! A quick counter attack sees Forsberg plays Angelino free down the left. The full back rounds the keeper before centering the ball. A Bochum defender heads clear, but the danger isn’t gone and the ball rebounds back goalwards. Yussuf Poulsen attacks it and is brought down after contact with Bockhorn's high outstretched leg. The referee points to the spot, but takes back his decision after VAR review.
8th minute: Emil looks really up for this! The Swede is played in by Nkunku down the right, and unleashes a powerful effort towards goal. The shot is too central and Riemann pushes away.
11th minute: Emil again! Godo work from Poulsen allows Forsberg a chance on goal. Emil gets onto his right and shoots, but his effort strikes the top of the crossbar and over.
15th minute: Surely an RBL goal is coming! Yussi brings down a ball in the penalty area and immediately shoots low on the turn. Riemann saves with his foot.
24th minute: After a hectic opening quarter of an hour, the game has settled down. The visitors seem to have found their feet and look more secure in defence.
27th minute: RBL again! Angelino works his way to the byline and plays a high cross towards Poulsen at the back post. The forward rises and meets it with his head but the ball goes just wide of the post.
29th minute: So close! Kevin Kampl thinks quickly and catches the Bochum back line out with a ball in behind to Nkunku. Yussi is well positioned for the square ball but Christo tries his luck and Riemann is equal to the shot.
36th minute: A chance for the visitors. RBL are too unprecise playing out fom the back and Losilla wins possession. The VfL man tries a shot from around 16 metres, missing just wide to the left of the post.
44th mintute: An incredible ball from Gvardiol! The Croation plays a 30-metre pass over the defence to Nkunku, who can’t bring it down properly and Riemann is quick off his line to gather.
Half time: Despite having the better half of the two sides and a number of chances, it’s all level at the break.
SECOND HALF HIGHLGIHTS:
55th minute: A slow start to the second half. A diagonal ball finds Tyler Adams at the back post. The number 14 can’t quite get proper contact on it as he tries to steer it back goalwards and it runs to the goalkeeper.
57th minute: Counterattack RBL! Nkunku, Poulsen and Forsberg surge forward but it comes to nothing.
65th minute: Antwi-Adjei looks to attack after a long ball, but Gvardiol and Simakan each close down the Bochum forward and easily dispossess him.
68th minute: Head coach Jesse Marsch makes a double change. Szoboszlai and Andre Silva are on in place of Forsberg and Poulsen!
69th minute: WHAT AN IMPACT! Silva scores with his first touch of the ball – while it was Szoboszlai with the assist with his first touch! The Portuguese forward heads home the Hungarian’s cross. Riemann manages to get to the ball but can't keep it out. 1-0 RBL!
73rd minute: Double impact! Silva is involved again. The substitute plays through Nkunku, who keeps his cool in front of goal and produces a perfect chip over the onrushing Riemann. 2-0!
78th minute: CHRISTO AGAIN! He just can’t stop! And it’s another lob from our forward. Gvardiol plays a ball over the top and Nkunku lobs the goalkeeper again from a narrow angle. That’s number 3 for Leipzig!
79th minute: Welcome, Ilaix! Moriba comes on in midfield to make his RBL debut!
82nd minute: Chance for the visitors. Substitute Sebastian Polter has an effort but pushes his shot wide to the left, under pressure from Mukiele.
87th minute: Another couple of chances for Polter come to nothing, before Haidara has an effort from the edge of the area that goes over the bar.
Full time: A deserved victory for RB Leipzig! A Silva goal and Nkunku brace see Jesse Marsch’s side head into the international break on the back of three points.