RB Leipzig defeat Stuttgart 2-0 to claim first away win of the season
Silva scores the opener from the penalty spot | Christo doubles the lead after the break | Dani Olmo makes return from injury
RB Leipzig defeated VfB Stuttgart 2-0 on Matchday 19 of the Bundesliga. André Silva scored the first goal after a Stuttgart handball in the penalty area (11’), before Christopher Nkunku increased the lead (70’) to give RBL their first away win of the season.
Domenico Tedesco’s side began the game well and took the earliest lead of the season in Stuttgart. Christopher Nkunku’s cross deflected off the hand of defender Konstantinos Mavropanos. André Silva converted the resulting penalty into the bottom right corner to score his fifth goal in as many league games. After taking the lead, RBL came under a little pressure from the hosts, but the two sides went into the break with one goal between them.
The second half was another hard-fought affair. Captain Péter Gulácsi was called into action multiple times and was solid between the sticks, pulling off a number of impressive saves (56’, 63’, 67’ and 83’). In a lightning-quick counter attack, substitute Benjamin Henrichs played a fantastic ball through to Christopher Nkunku, who cut back inside to beat his man before firing into the bottom corner (70’). With RBL on course for all three points, there was extra reason for celebration as Dani Olmo celebrated his return from injury after two months, replacing Kevin Kampl in the 88th minute.
Domenico Tedesco’s third win in his fifth game in charge sees Leipzig move to within three points of the Champions League places.
Statistics:
VFB STUTTGART:
Müller - Mavropanos (82' Ahamada), Anton, Ito - Coulibaly (76' Massimo), Endo, Mangala, Nartey - Tibidi (75' Klimowicz), Führich (81' Egloff) - Kalajdzic
Unused subs: Bredlow, Stenzel, Karazor, Förster, Beyaz
RB LEIPZIG:
Gulácsi - Simakan, Orban, Gvardiol - Klostermann, Adams, Kampl (88' Olmo), Angeliño - Nkunku (77' Novoa)- Silva, Poulsen (65' Henrichs)
Unused subs: Martínez, Tschauner, Bonnah, Wosz, Raebiger
REFEREE:
Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheim)
YELLOW CARDS:
Coulibaly (8'), Tibidi (53'), Kalajdzic (90'+2) - Poulsen (55')
GOALS:
Silva (11'), Nkunku (70')
ATTENDANCE:
500 | Mercedes-Benz Arena
First half highlights:
Pre-match:
Dominik Szoboszlai has suffered an injury during the warm up and will not play. Yussuf Poulsen takes his place in the starting XI.
1st minute:
Underway at the Mercedes-Benz Arena! Let's go, boys!
5th minute:
First corner of the game for RBL. Angeliño delivers into the box, but it‘s cleared. Klostermann shoots from outside the area and sees his shot blocked.
8th minute:
Yellow card for Coulibaly after a strong challenge on Mo Simakan.
10th minute:
Penalty kick for RBL! Nkunku crosses from the left and the ball strikes the hand of Mavropanos. André Silva will take.
11th minute: GOOOALL for Leipzig!
Silva makes no mistake! He sends Müller the wrong way and tucks it into the bottom right corner.
14th minute:
Perfect record! André Silva has now taken eleven penalties in the Bundesliga, and scored them all!
17th minute:
In the five games under head coach Domenico Tedesco, André Silva has now scored five goals. That’s our number 33’s has eighth goal in the Bundesliga this season.
34th minute:
54 percent of RBL's attacks are coming down the left-hand side, through full back Angeliño and Christo Nkunku who is often operating down that flank.
40th minute:
Ito shoots low and hard from range, but Gulácsi saves.
43rd minute:
Stuttgart have played well since falling behind and are imposing themselves in the final third. Stay focused, boys!
44th minute:
Endo shoots from a narrow angle on the left. The low shot is no problem for Pete.
Half-time
Break at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. The Red Bulls started well and took the lead in the 11th minute through Silva – the earliest 1-0 lead the team have had all season. Since then, the hosts have been the more threatening side but RBL have been solid at the back. Despite some Stuttgart pressure late in the half, we lead at the break – in part thanks to the good work between the sticks from Pete.
Second half highlights:
46th minute:
The second half is underway. No changes at the break.
48th minute:
Yussi attacks down the left and hits a powerful effort goalwards. Müller parries.
53rd minute:
Tibidi fouls Simakan and is show a yellow card. Matarazzo is also booked after his complaint to the official.
55th minute:
Poulsen fouls Tibidi on the edge of the area and is shown yellow.
56th minute:
Kalajdzic rises highest and heads goalwards from the resulting free kick. It’s goal-bound, but Gulácsi makes a great save from close range!
60th minute:
Good chance for RBL. Yussi crosses low across the area to Silva, but our number 33 can't find the space to shoot as many defenders flock back. The ball finds Yussi but his effort ends up blocked.
63rd minute:
Pete again! Mangala shoots from the edge of the box and our captain dives through the air, producing a great top-hand save, deflecting behind for a corner.
65th minute:
First change of the game: Henrichs comes on for Poulsen.
67th minute:
Top save by Pete! Anton heads towards goal from a dead ball. Our number 1 reacts brilliantly and claws away with one hand.
70th minute: GOOOOAAAAL for Leipzig:
Henrichs plays a great pass in behind the defensive line for Christo to attack. Nkunku coolly chops back inside and frees himself of Ito, before powering a left-footed shot into the bottom corner!
77th minute:
Next change: Hugo Novoa comes on for goalscorer Nkunku.
83rd minute:
PEEEEETEE! Some quick combination play sees Massimo through in the area. He shoots low but Gulacsi is there again. He’s been unbeatable today!
87th minute:
Offside! Silva is played in behind the defence, but he’s fractionally offside. The forward did well and found the supporting Hugo Novoa in the area, who shot into the back of the net via the underside of the bar. Unfortunately the goal won’t count.
88th minute:
Dani Olmo makes his comeback! He’s on for Kampl to see out the game.
92nd minute:
Kalajdzic is a touch late on Simakan and is shown a yellow card.
Full time
The Red Bulls get their first away win of the season – a goal in each half secures a 2-0 victory!