RB Leipzig defeat SV Sandhausen 4-0 in DFB-Pokal opener
DFB-Pokal first round | RB Leipzig see off second division side SV Sandhausen 4-0 | Competitive debuts for head coach Jesse Marsch as well as four players | Willi Orban (19’), Amadou Haidara (44’), Christopher Nkunku (60’) and Dominik Szoboszlai (81’) on the scoresheet for RBL
Starting the new season with a win! RB Leipzig lived up to their tag as favourites in the DFB-Pokal first round tie against second division side SV Sandhausen. In front of 4,000 specatators, including 375 travelling RBL fans, at BWT-Stadion am Hardtwald, Jesse Marsch’s team dominated the game from the first minute and ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.
The Red Bulls started the game full of fire and almost took the lead twice through Willi Orban, whose headers were saved by the impressive Patrick Drewes in the Sandhausen goal (16’). Two minutes later, Mohamed Simakan headed home from a corner, but the goal was ruled out for an attacking by the centre back. Willi Orban finally broke the deadlock, heading in at the back post after an inch-perfect Angelino cross (19’). Despite some strong Sandhausen defence, RBL never lost their way and eventually doubled the lead through Amadou Haidara in the 44th minute.
The second half was very similar to the first. Leipzig never showed any signs of taking their foot off the gas and were consistently on the front foot. Christopher Nkunku topped an impressive performance with a goal on the hour mark (60’) to further increase the lead. The home side looked to respond, but were denied on two occasions by Peter Gulacsi, who wasn’t often tested but was reliable when called upon. The RBL number one pulled off two saves in as many minutes to keep his clean sheet, denying Sandhausen’s Bachmann (75’) and Esswein(77’). In the final phase of the game, debutant Dominik Szoboszlai rounded the goalkeeper to round off a highly-deserved 4-0 win for his team.
RB Leipzig line up
Gulácsi (C) - Orban, Simakan, Angeliño, Mukiele - Kampl (78’ Raebiger), Haidara (78‘ Szoboszlai), Forsberg (61’ Hwang), Nkunku, Adams (69’ Laimer) - Silva (68’ Brobbey)
Unused substitutes:
Martinez, Klostermann, Gvardiol, Novoa
Goals:
0-1 Willi Orban (19')
0-2 Amadou Haidara (44')
0-3 Christopher Nkunku (60')
0-4 Dominik Szoboszlai (81')
First half highlights
1st minute: Underway in Sandhausen! Debutant Andre Silva leads the line for RBL.
3rd minute: Almost an instant impact for the Portugal international! Amadou Haidara supplies a ball through, but the attacker misses the target to the right.
16th minute: Double chance Willi Orban! Our defender wins the ball twice from two consecutive corners, but each of his on-target headers are saved by Patrick Drewes.
18th minute: Debutant Mo Simakan heads home from another corner – but referee Daniel Schlager whistles for a free kick to the home side. It remains 0-0.
19th minute: GOOOOAALL for RBL! Angelino delivers a free-kick and it’s Willi Orban again who wins it. This time, he beats the goalkeeper and gives RBL a deserved lead.
21st minute: Almost a double blow! Nkunku plays a low ball across the face of goal, and a sliding Andre Silva is just inches away from turning home at the back post.
33rd minute: Post! RBL are red hot from set-pieces. It’s Simakan again, who gets a shot off on goal, but sees the woodwork get in the way of a debut goal.
44th minute: GOOOOAAAALL for RBL! Leipzig reward themselves for their dominance. On the counter attack, Christo provides Amadou Haidara, who goes one-on-one and beats the goalkeeper. The Red Bulls will head into half time with a 2-0 lead.
Second half highlights
60th minute: GOOOAAL for RBL! The game settles down in the opening quarter of an hour of the second half, but suddenly Leipzig increase their advantage. Silva receives the ball deep in midfield, turns before playing Nkunku through in the area. Our number 18 bears down on goal and makes no mistake with the finish. Does that put the game beyond doubt?
75th minute: First chance for the home side. Peter Gulacsi is forced into action and denies a low effort from close range from Sandhausen’s Janik Bachmann. The danger is still there, with Cedio Soukou getting to the rebound. Defender Mohamed Simakan is lightning quick to get back and block at the last second.
77th minute: Pete the Wall again! Substitute Alexander Esswein looks to reduce the deficit, but an onrushing Gulacsi is quick to react and clear the danger.
81st minute: GOOOOAALL for RBL! It’s a goal on debut for substitute Dominik Szoboszlai! Just a matter of minutes after coming on, Szobo receives the ball from Nkunku on a fast counter attack. The Hungarian rounds the goalkeeper and slots home! Not a bad start to Domi’s RBL career!
84th minute: Almost five! A Szoboszlai plays a perfectly-weighted ball into the area, where Hee-chan Hwang hits it first time but sees his effort go over the bar.
90th minute: Full time! RBL deliver a confident and dominant performance to run out 4-0 victors.