Red Bulls enjoy comfortable 6-0 win against Radomiak Radow
Laimer puts RBL in the lead on his return | Szoboszlai scores brace | Successful first team debuts for Ohene Köhl and Simon Schierack
RBL did not include Janis Blaswich in the squad as they managed his workload. Willi Orban and Marcel Halstenberg were both unavailable due to minor injuries, while Hugo Novoa had recovered from his illness, the friendly came a bit too early for the Spaniard. On the other hand, there was great joy at the return of midfield motor Konrad Laimer who had not played for 74 days. Head coach Marco Rose named seven academy players in the matchday squad, including Ohene Köhl who started up front.
Leipzig put pressure on the visitors from Radom from the get-go, restricting them to deep in their own half. Despite controlling the proceedings and keeping the ball in the opposition’s half, the first real threat didn’t come until the 18th minute, when skipper Emil Forsberg got down the left flank – who played in Ohene Köhl, but he met his match in Polish U21 goalkeeper Gabriel Koblak.
Although chances for RBL kept on flowing (including for Benjamin Henrichs, 21’, and Konrad Laimer, 25’), the opener didn’t come until just after the half an hour mark, as an inch perfect ball from Amadou Haidara landed at the feet of Xaver Schlager on the left. The Austrian weaved his way through the Radomiak midfield, before finding the onrushing Konrad Laimer who duly found the left corner with precision. Just before the break, the Red Bulls doubled their advantage, as Dominik Szoboszlai’s deflected shot left Gabriel Koblak helpless.
The first half in photos
The second half started with a brief moment of shock when Alex spooned the ball over the onrushing Örjan Nyland and onto the crossbar. However, the home side remained the dominant side and didn’t let the rain take away any of their enthusiasm in the game. Youngster Ohene Köhl came out as the man of the hour in the 66th minute. After a skilful counter attack against the high-line of the opponent, Emil Forsberg selflessly played through the sprinting up-and-coming youngster. Scoring the third was just a formality for him. Only a little bit later, the scoreline became even more pronounced. Following a corner, the ball came into the box from the left and landed in the path of the excellent Dominik Szoboszlai, who had no difficulty in extending the lead to 4-0 from 16 metres out (72’).
Substitute Simon Schierack was also able to get on the scoresheet in his first professional appearance. His powerful shot from distance found the bottom corner to make it 5-0 (86’). The Red Bulls rounded off the game in perfect fashion with the last action of the game. Polish defender Gajgier inadvertently put a whipping corner into his own net. The Leipzig side were deserved winners of this first friendly capping off the game 6-0. Next Friday (02 December, 14:00 CET), Danish first division side AC Horsens are the next opponents for the Red Bulls.
The second half in photos
Statistics:
RB Leipzig:
Nyland – Henrichs, Simakan, Ba, Schlager, Kampl, Haidara, Forsberg, Laimer, Szoboszlai, Köhl
Bench: Nickisch, Voigt, Freischlad, Ihendu, Schierack, Johans, Weber, Eduardo
Radomiak Radom:
Kobylak - Jakubik, Justiniano, Chichocki, Yarosh, Nowakowski, Alves, Alex, Machado, Maurides, Cayarga
Bench: Pawowski, Semedo, Pik, Snopczynski, Zurawski, Abramowicz, Gajgier, Ojrznski, Sokol, Feliks
Goals:
1-0 Konrad Laimer (32’)
2-0 Dominik Szoboszlai (43’)
3-0 Ohene Köhl (66’)
4-0 Dominik Szoboszlai (72’)
5-0 Simon Schierack (86’)
6-0 Own goal (90’)
Attendance:
423
Marco Rose
- “I think we played well and were able to use a few of the youngsters. Konni was integrated once more over 45 minutes. I am very satisfied. I am also very pleased that the academy players were able to play with the pros. In training they're getting better every day, they're always adapting quickly but there's a long way to go. It's great that they're always improving and making themselves seen.
I want us to make the most of the coming days. That means working hard in training and playing a friendly like today on Friday. Then we will have earned a few days off.“