RB Leipzig with comfortable 3-0 win over Hoffenheim
RB Leipzig celebrate deserved win against TSG Hoffenheim | Marcel Halstenberg scores on return to starting XI | Christopher Nkunku and Dominik Szoboszlai on target
RB Leipzig came away with all three points at the Red Bull Arena, defeating an important rival in the race for a spot in next season’s Champions League. RBL beat Hoffenheim 3-0 and increased their lead over TSG to seven points.
The Red Bulls were the better team from the start and quickly took the lead in the fifth minute. Dominik Szoboszlai’s free kick found Christopher Nkunku on the edge of the area, who turned inside his man and shot into the near corner. The offside flag initially went up, but a VAR check saw the goal awarded.
Domenico Tedesco’s side continued to dominate the game and doubled their lead a quarter of an hour later. Havard Nordtveit’s clearance ricocheted off Konrad Laimer and into the path of Marcel Halstenberg, who shot first time into the bottom right corner (20’).
Dominik Szoboszlai scored the third and final goal of the game just before half time. Mohamed Simakan won the ball in his own half and dribbled up field before crossing to Christopher Nkunku. His header was turned in from close range by Szoboszlai to round off a clinical counter attack (44’).
The second half was less lively. Three goals to the good, RBL were happy to easy off and looked to control the game, with goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi not forced into a save at all. With the lead never in doubt, Tedesco’s team saw out the victory to make sure the three points stayed in Leipzig.
Statistics:
RB LEIPZIG:
Gulácsi – Simakan (62' Klostermann), Orbán, Forsberg, Szoboszlai, Nkunku (62' Poulsen), Mukiele, Halstenberg (62' Angeliño), Laimer (46' Adams), Gvardiol, Kampl (80' Olmo)
Unused subs: Martínez, Silva, Novoa, Henrichs
TSG HOFFENHEIM:
Baumann – Kadeřábek, Nordtveit, Bebou (80' Skov), Stiller, Baumgartner (70' Dabbur), Samassékou, Kramaric, Richards, Rutter (70' Bruun Larsen), Posch
Unused subs: Philipp, Adams, Che, Bischof
REFEREE:
Bastian Dankert (Rostock)
GELBE KARTEN:
Mukiele (76') - Kadeřábek (71'), Richards (77')
GOALS:
1-0 Nkunku (5'), 2-0 Halstenberg (20'), 3-0 Szoboszlai (44')
ATTENDANCE:
35.112 | Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
First half highlights:
1st minute:
Underway at the Red Bull Arena! Let's go, Leipzig!
5th minute, GOAL for Leipzig:
Szoboszlai plays a free kick into Nkunku on the edge of the area from the right. He turns inside Kadeřábek and shoots left-footed into the near corner. The goal is initially ruled out for offside, but a VAR check awards the goal!
10th minute:
After taking the lead, RBL have enjoyed more possession and are controlling the game.
16th minute:
Nkunku is causing problems again and this time attacks down the right before his cross is blocked.
20th minute, GOAL for Leipzig:
Halste on his return to the starting XI! Laimer loses the ball to Nordtveit. The Hoffenheim man tries to clear the ball but hits it against Laimer and the ball deflects into the path of Halstenberg. The wing back strikes it first time with his left foot, past the goalkeeper and into the bottom left corner.
24th minute:
Another chance for RBL. A free kick from the left finds Mukiele, who shoots but his shot is saved by Hoffenheim's Baumann.
30th minute:
A dominant performance so far - Leipzig lead in distance covered, passes made and possession and have a two-goal lead. Hoffenheim are yet to register a shot on target.
39th minute:
Kampl brings down Samassékou in midfield and the guests have a chance to do something. Kramaric delivers the ball into the area from around 30 metres and Kadeřábek heads it on, but the RBL defence can clear.
43rd minute:
Richards plays a long ball into the path of Baumgartner but Gulácsi is out to the ball first.
44th minute, GOAL for Leipzig:
What a move! Simakan wins possession in his own half and surges forward before crossing from the right to the far post. Nkunku heads it down first time into the path of Szoboszlai, who slides it past Baumann from close range. 3-0!
Half time:
45 minutes gone and RBL take a highly-deserved lead into the break. TSG haven't created any problems yet.
Second half highlights:
46th minute:
Tyler Adams is on for Konrad Laimer at the break.
50th minute:
Nkunku tries his luck from 25 metres but his shot is blocked.
53rd minute:
RBL attack quickly on the break again after winning possession. Szoboszlai can't convet the chance into a goal. The resulting corner sees a chance for Nkunku, but he shoots narrowly wide of the post.
59th minute:
Almost an hour on the clock and Gulácsi is yet to be tested, with Hoffenheim not yet registering a shot on goal.
62nd minute:
A triple change: goalscorers Nkunku and Halstenberg take an early rest, alongside Simakan.
69th minute:
A good chance to make it four goes begging. Szoboszlai plays inside to Forsberg, but he shoots clearly over the bar from a central position in the area.
74th minute:
Szoboszlai charges forward down the left and shoots left footed over the bar.
80th minute:
Hoffenheim with a decent move outside the area but the RBL defence holds strong and prevents the visitors from getting a shot off.
Full time:
A brilliant first half and a clever second see RBL take all three points in a 3-0 win.