RB Leipzig celebrate 3-1 win over 1. FC Köln
RB Leipzig impressively overcome 1. FC Köln at home | Christo Nkunku opens scoring with direct free kick | Dani Olmo and Angeliño increase the lead in second half | Köln with corner goal in additional time
Three fantastic goals helped RB Leipzig defeat 1. FC Köln 3-1 and head into the top four at least overnight – with the rest of Matchday 22 fixtures still to be played.
The game saw few chances to begin with, with each team’s defence doing a good job. Domenico Tedesco’s side finally created the first big chance of the game with a brilliant team move from back to front, but Ellyes Skhiri was able to clear Christo Nkunku’s pass at the last minute (23’).
Just moments later, RB were awarded a free kick after Dani Olmo was brought down on the edge of the area. Up stepped Christopher Nkunku, who dipped the ball over the wall and into the back of the net to open the scoring, leaving Köln goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe with no chance (25’).
Olmo doubled the lead with another brilliant goal after half time, firing low into the bottom league from 18 metres out (54’). The Spaniard then turned provider for his fellow countryman, crossing to Angeliño who slotted home to finish off a fantastic counter attack and increase the lead to three (57’).
The visitors scored a late consolation goal in added time, as Tim Lemperle headed in from a corner at the back post (90+1’), but couldn’t do anything to prevent Tedesco’s team from taking all three points.
Statistics:
RB LEIPZIG:
Gulácsi (C) – Angeliño (78' Mukiele), Orban, Haidara, Klostermann (70' Simakan), Nkunku, Olmo (64' Forsberg), Laimer (70' Szoboszlai), Gvardiol, Silva (64' Poulsen), Henrichs
Unused subs: Martínez, Adams, Kampl, Novoa
1. FC KÖLN:
Schwäbe - Schmitz, Hübers, Özcan, Andersson (85' Lemperle), Kainz (62' Ljubicic), Hector, Kilian, Duda (62' Uth), Skhiri (85' Ostrák), Thielmann (62' Schindler)
Unused subs: T. Horn, Ehizibue, J. Horn, Schaub
REFEREE:
Florian Badstübner (Windsbach)
YELLOW CARDS:
Gvardiol (62') - Thielmann (9'), Hübers (35')
GOALS:
1-0 Nkunku (25'), 2-0 Olmo (54'), 3-0 Angeliño (57'), 3-1 Lemperle (90'+1)
ATTENDANCE:
15.000 | Red Bull Arena Leipzig
First half highlights:
1st minute:
Underway! Let's go, boys!
4th minute:
First corner for Leipzig: Angeliño delivers it into the area but Gvardiol is well defended and can’t get any decent contact on it.
9th minute:
Thielmann brings down Gvardiol on halfway and impedes the defender’s surge through the middle. First yellow card of the match.
15th minute:
We’re through the first quarter of an hour with much of the game taking place in midfield. Both defences have performed well so far, with not many goalscoring chances at either end.
21st minute:
Henrichs beats two defenders down the right and breaks forward. He looks to switch the play to the left but a Köln defender intercepts.
23rd minute:
Almost 1-0! Leipzig remain patient and pass around at the back, tempting Köln to press high. Laimer and co. beat the press brilliantly and counterattack at pace. Angeliño sends Nkunku into the penalty area down the left, but his low pass into the middle towards Silva is cleared by Skhiri right at the last second.
25th minute, GOOAAAL for Leipzig:
YESSS!!! What a goal! Olmo was brought down on the edge of the area, and Christo steps up to deliver a perfect free-kick into the top left corner. Schwäbe has no chance.
30th minute:
The goal has opened up the game and the visitors have lost their grip a little.
40th minute:
Köln don’t sit back and are looking for the response. They’ve scored seven times this season after going behind.
Half-time:
The first 45 minutes are over. There hasn’t been a plethora of chances at either end and it’s a moment of brilliance from Christopher Nkunku has made the difference so far.
Second half highlights:
46th minute:
We’re back for the second half. Both sides are unchanged.
52nd minute:
Like in the first half, the second half also starts with a lot of the play in the middle of the park.
54th minute, GOOOAAAL for Leipzig:
Another brilliant goal! Olmo dribbles forwards and has 18 metres out from goal. No defenders close him down and he picks his spot, before unleashing a low rocket into the bottom left corner!
57th minute, GOOOAAALL for Leipzig:
On fire! Nkunku and Olmo combine on a brilliant counter attack. The scorer turns provider, squaring to Angeliño who makes it 3-0.
64th minute:
A double change from Tedesco: Forsberg and Poulsen come on for Olmo and Silva. Meanwhile, Köln make three changes.
68th minute:
Nkunku shoots from a narrow angle, Schwäbe deflects the ball over.
74th minute:
The 15,000 fans in the Red Bull Arena are celebrating. It seems like Leipzig have this one beyond doubt.
77th minute:
Chance for the visitors. Andersson hits the outside of the net with a back post header.
87th minute:
Köln are not giving up. Minutes after Uth’s blocked shot, this time it’s Ljubicic who tries his luck but he pushes his shot across the face of goal.
88th minute:
Leipzig dangerous again! With Köln caught out on the counter, Forsberg feeds Mukiele, who shoots into the side netting from a narrow angle.
90+1st minute, goal for Köln:
Tim Lemperle heads in from a corner at the back post. That’s the last action of the game and it’s a 3-1 home win for Domenico Tedesco and RB Leipzig!