Nkunku and Werner score to defeat Leverkusen 2-0

RB Leipzig defeated Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-0 at the Red Bull Arena on Bundesliga matchday 12, with Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner on the scoresheet.

Both teams started with three players in defence and nullified each other’s attacking threat for most of the first half. The first goal came from a set piece when Christo Nkunku headed home Dominik Szoboszlai’s free kick (32’).

In the second half, Szoboszlai almost made it 2-0 but was denied by a great save from Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký (57’). The visitors didn’t really threaten debutant Ørjan Nyland in the RBL goal and Werner put the game to bed in the 83rd minute, slotting home after a pass from Amadou Haidara.

Statistics:

RB LEIPZIG:
Nyland – Simakan (46' Gvardiol), Orbán, Werner, Szoboszlai (71' Olmo), Nkunku (84' Silva), Raum (71' Halstenberg), Schlager, Diallo, Henrichs, Kampl (46' Haidara)

Unused subs: Nickisch, Forsberg, Novoa

BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN:
Hrádecký - Hincapie, Tah, Andrich, Amiri (65' Palacios), Tapsoba, Diaby, Adli (77' Hudson-Odoi), Sinkgraven (65' Bakker), Hlozek (65' Schick), Fosu-Mensah (54' Frimpong)

Unused subs: Lunev, Kossounou, Paulinho, Demirbay

REFEREE:
Sven Jablonski (Bremen)

GOALS:
1-0 Nkunku (32'), 2-0 Werner (83')

ATTENDANCE:
45,598 | Red Bull Arena

YELLOW CARDS:
Kampl (4th), Diallo (1st), Henrichs (5th) - Tapsoba (2nd), Hincapie (2nd)

First half highlights:

KICK-OFF:

Underway at the Red Bull Arena. Let's go, Leipzig!

3RD MINUTE:

Schlager with the first effort of the game: a long shot from around 20 metres, but it’s over the bar.

8TH MINUTE:

Marco Rose has named a back three today, similarly to Xabi Alonso. The two sides are not allowing any chances so far.

18TH MINUTE:

Werner is sent down the right and gets to the byline, but his low cut-back is dived on by Hrádecký.

20TH MINUTE:

Schlager slips in Nkunku through the middle, but Andrich manages to get in between our forward and the ball and win a free kick.

30TH MINUTE:

Simakan stays down after a duel with Adli and receives some treatment, but he’s able to carry on.

32ND MINUTE, GOOOAAAL FOR RBL:

There’s the opener! After winning a free kick out wide, Szoboszlai steps up to whip a ball in towards the front post. Nkunku attacks the right space and heads home to open the scoring!

37TH MINUTE:

The goal hasn't had a major impact on the game, but Leverkusen will likely look to take a few more risks in their play.

42ND MINUTE:

Debutant Nyland is called into action to claim a high ball. Apart from that, it’s been a quiet half of football for our goalkeeper.

HALF TIME:

The first 45 minutes are over and Christo Nkunku's goal has RBL 1-0 ahead, while Leverkusen have not created any danger of note for Nyland and the RBL defence at the other end.

Second half highlights:

46TH MINUTE:

Marco Rose has made a double change for the second half: Gvardiol and Haidara are on in place of Simakan and Kampl.

48TH MINUTE:

Raum has an effort from range but it’s no problem for Hrádecký.

54TH MINUTE:

Leverkusen have had long spells of possession but RBL have stood firm and not let anything through.

57TH MINUTE:

Big chance for the second! Nkunku finds Werner, who knocks back across goal to Szoboszlai. He gets onto the ball and shoots from a really tight angle, but Hrádecký saves from close range.

61ST MINUTE:

The visitors' best chance so far. Adli plays the ball left to Sinkgraven. From the flank, he cuts in onto his right foot and shoots low, but it’s central and is saved by Nyland. The offside flag goes up for a call on Diaby and the goal would not have counted.

71ST MINUTE:

Halstenberg and Olmo come on. Raum and Szoboszlai go off.

75TH MINUTE:

15 minutes to go. RBL are in control of the play and have not allowed Leverkusen to do anything going forward.

80TH MINUTE:

Haidara looks to play in Werner, but it’s a little too strong for our forward. A nice idea.

83rd MINUTE, GOOOOAAAAL for RBL:

YES! That’s the game! Haidara's looks for and this time finds Werner, who bears down on Hrádecký and slots into the back of the net! 2-0.

86TH MINUTE:

Yellow card for Henrichs for a foul on Bakker. That’s his fifth of the season and he’ll be suspended for next week’s game against Hoffenheim.

FULL TIME:

That's the seventh home win in a row! A strong performance from back to front, with RBL taking their chances and not allowing Leverkusen to create anything at the other end.