RB Leipzig defeated 2-0 by TSG Hoffenheim
Diadie Samassékou gives TSG the lead in the first half | Munas Dabbur makes it 2-0 | Leipzig in sixth place
RB Leipzig suffered a 2-0 away defeat to TSG Hoffenheim on Bundesliga matchday 12. The hosts took the lead through Diadie Samassékou in the 12th minute, before Munas Dabbur doubled in the 68th minute as RBL had no answer to Sebastian Hoeneß' side’s aggressive press and attacking prowess.
Right from the start, the hosts were aggressive and made it difficult for Jesse Marsch’s team to build up their play. Hoffenheim won possession several times and were often a threat on the counter attack. However it was a set piece that opened the scoring, when Diadie Samassékou headed in at the far post (12’). With only one shot on goal, RBL went into the break trailing.
The hosts continued to be the more aggressive and impressive side in the second half. While the Red Bulls had more possession (62.9 per cent), Marsch’s side were unable to break down the well-positioned hosts. Winning the ball in the opposition half was key to Hoffenheim’s success and it was the exact reason for the second goal. Munas Dabbur stole the ball from Tyler Adams on the edge of the area and fired in a low effort into the bottom corner (68’). A tough but deserved defeat for RBL, that could have been heavier but for Péter Gulácsi and the woodwork.
Jesse Marsch's wait for an away win now stretches to nine games and RBL sit in sixth place with 18 points. Hoffenheim sit one point and two places behind.
Statistics
TSG HOFFENHEIM:
Baumann - Posch, Grillitsch, Vogt - Akpoguma (89' Nordtveit), Samassekou (64' Stiller), Geiger, Raum - Dabbur (73' Richards) - Rutter (73' Adamyan), Bebou (89' Asllani)
Unused subs: Pentke, Adams, Gacinovic, Hübner
RB LEIPZIG:
Gulácsi - Klostermann (78' Novoa), Orban, Gvardiol - Mukiele (53' Henrichs), Adams, Kampl (46' Forsberg), Angelino - Nkunku, Szoboszlai (71' Moriba) - Silva (71' Brobbey)
Unused subs: Martinez, Olmo, Wosz
REFEREE:
Tobias Welz (Wiesbaden)
YELLOW CARDS:
Grillitsch (42'), Håvard Nordtveit (90'+3) - Silva (35'), Angeliño (84')
GOALS:
1-0 Samassekou (12'), 2-0 Dabbur (68')
ATTENDANCE:
13,500
First half highlights
1st minute:
Kick-off at the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim!
3rd minute:
A rapid start to the game! The hosts have the first chance of the game, Rutter hitting the side netting.
8th minute:
RBL are looking to make their impact, but Hoffenheim are also dangerous with their direct style. An intense game.
12th minute, goal for Hoffenheim
Gulácsi misjudges a corner and Samassekou heads in to the open goal at the far post.
21st minute:
Raum with a cureling low effort from the corner of the area. Pete is quick to dive down and gets a strong hand to turn the ball around the post.
24th minute:
Gulácsi is there again! The goalkeeper pushes a strong Akpoguma shot over the crossbar.
31st minute:
A chance for the Red Bulls from a free-kick, but Szoboszlai's ball is too far ahead of the attackers. Goal kick.
35th minute:
Geiger delivers a free kick from the right. Posch gets there but heads wide of the post.
41st minute:
Hoffenheim's pressing is creating a lot of problems for RBL, who are finding it difficult to break into the final third and create chances.
Half-time:
Hoffenheim took the lead from a set piece and continually caused Jesse Marsch’s side problems with their pressing. RB Leipzig have allowed ten shots on goal and shown few signs of danger at the other end.
Second half highlights:
46th minute:
Back underway in Sinsheim. One change at the break: Forsberg comes on for Kampl.
46th minute:
Dabbur with a good ball into the Leipzig area. Rutter shoots one on one, but his left-footed effort is saved by Pete from close range.
53rd minute:
Mukiele is taken off with a knock, with Henrichs on in his place.
55th minute:
Szoboszlai goes down after pressuring Geiger and leaves the field for treatment.
60th minute:
Akpoguma meets a corner from Raum at the front post and the ball glances across goal. At the other end, RBL are yet to have a shot on goal in the second half.
63rd minute:
Christo tries a bicycle kick but the ball goes wide of the post.
68th minute, goal for Hoffenheim
Dabbur presses high and wins the ball outside the Leipzig area. The attacker takes a touch, picks his spot and buries the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. 2-0.
71st minute:
Double change for the Red Bulls: Brobbey and Moriba come on for Silva and Szoboszlai.
78th minute:
TSG continue to be a problem for RBL and hit the woodwork twice in succession through Bebou and Grillitsch.
79th minute:
Novoa comes on for Klostermann.
Full time:
It wasn’t to be today. TSG were more aggressive and braver in the challenges, while RBL lacked any real breakthrough power, particularly after the break. No time to beat ourselves up – now it’s onto the Champions League and Club Brugge on Wednesday.