RBL pick up three more points with 3-2 win over Hertha
Forsberg, Raum and Orban score in first half | Lukebakio and Jovetic reply after half time | RBL extend unbeaten run to five games
RB Leipzig recorded a 3-2 victory over Hertha on matchday 10 of the Bundesliga. After a convincing and efficient first half, the game became tight in the final phases after a quickfire double from the visitors. However, captain Willi Orban and co managed to see the win over the line and keep the three points in Leipzig.
After an even opening 20 minutes, RBL took control of the game. Christopher Nkunku came close to opening the scoring in the 24th minute and the deadlock was broken a minute later. Dominik Szoboszlai got into the area before Emil Forsberg finished his cross from close range. Five minutes later, the lead was doubled when David Raum got the final touch on a Szoboszlai corner (30’). On the stroke of half time, Willi Orbán, captaining the side, was in the right place at the right time to increase the lead after André Silva’s shot bounced back off the post.
The second half began with a balanced start, but then it was the visitors’ turn to score. Hertha opened their tally for the day on the hour mark from the penalty spot after Abdou Diallo was penalised for a handball. Dodi Lukebakio converted the penalty, just a few minutes before Stefan Jovetic found the bottom corner with a good half volley on the turn. With the advantage reduced to just one goal, Nkunku had a late goal overturned for offside and Blaswich was able to turn Kanga’s shot onto the post. Things got nervy towards the end but Marco Rose’s team held on to record their fourth consecutive home win across all competitions.
Statistics
RB LEIPZIG:
Blaswich - Simakan (61' Henrichs), Orban (C), Haidara (61' Kampl), Forsberg (72' Novoa), Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Silva (72' Poulsen), Raum (61' Halstenberg), Schlager, Diallo
Hertha BSC:
Christensen - Rogel, Serdar (83' Selke), Lukebakio, Kenny, Jovetic, Kempf, Plattenhardt (C) (46' Mittelstädt), Richter (59' Ejuke), Tousart, Sunjic (46' Kanga)
REFEREE:
Harm Osmers (Bremen)
GOALS:
1-0 Forsberg (25'), 2-0 Raum (30'), 3-0 Orban (45'), 3-1 Lukebakio (62', pen), 3-2 Jovetic (64')
YELLOW CARDS:
Haidara, Kampl | Kempf, Plattenhardt, Rogel
ATTENDANCE:
47,069 | Red Bull Arena (sold out)
First half highlights
KICK OFF
Hertha get us underway. André Silva makes the 100th Bundesliga appearance of his career today.
3RD MINUTE:
Marco Richter shoots from long range and Janis Blaswich saves for a corner.
5TH MINUTE:
Dominik Szoboszlai needs treatment after a challenge on the edge of the area, but he’s okay to carry on.
10TH MINUTE:
An even game so far, but Leipzig have enjoyed more of the ball with around 60% possession.
17TH MINUTE:
Serdar looks to send Richter through but the Hertha man is just offside.
24TH MINUTE:
Our best chance so far! Christopher Nkunku is played in in the area and looks to play across goal to the far post with his left. Hertha goalkeeper Christensen dives low and saves with his feet.
25TH MINUTE: GOOOAAAL for RBL:
RBL take the lead! Szoboszlai gets to the byline down the right and crosses towards the front post, where Forsberg finishes from inside the six-yard box with his knee.
30TH MINUTE: GOOOAAAL for RBL:
The lead is doubled! Szoboszlai delivers a corner and Diallo meets it. It deflects off a Hertha defender, before the final touch comes from David Raum who puts it over the line with his shin.
39TH MINUTE:
Hertha look to come back but are struggling to cause any real danger at the Leipzig end.
45TH MINUTE: GOOOAAAL for RBL:
There’s the third! Raum finds Silva, beats Christensen one-on-one but his shot bounces back off the far post. Luckily, captain Willi Orbán is in the right place at the right time! 3-0!
HALF TIME
A good first half has Marco Rose’s team 3-0 ahead at the break.
Second half highlights
46TH MINUTE:
Marco Rose doesn’t make any changes at the break and we’re back for the second half.
50TH MINUTE:
The first real chance of the half goes our way. Forsberg attacks through midfield and finds Silva, but his shot goes over the bar from inside the area.
54TH MINUTE:
Hertha threaten from a free kick. Lukebakio sends the ball into the area where it’s met by Kanga, but the Hertha substitute can’t find the target.
58TH MINUTE:
Hertha are the more dangerous-looking side in the second half but there’s still nothing to show for it.
60TH MINUTE, PENALTY FOR HERTHA:
A cross from the right hits Diallo’s arm in the area.
60TH MINUTE, GOAL FOR HERTHA:
Lukebakio steps up and converts into the bottom left corner.
64th MINUTE, GOAL FOR HERTHA:
Hertha add another one in no time. A cross into the area lands with Jovetic, who chests the ball down and fires a shot into the bottom corner on the turn.
69TH MINUTE:
Hertha are looking lively now. Jovetic tries to double his tally but his header is dealt with.
74TH MINUTE:
Leipzig have managed to weather the storm a little but there’s still a quarter of an hour left to see out the win.
80TH MINUTE:
Big chance! Szoboszlai plays through Christo Nkunku, who rounds the goalkeeper and looks to finish from close range, but Lukebakio dives back to block in the last second. Brilliant play, it has to be said.
81ST MINUTE:
Hertha strike right back on the counter and Ejuke tries to beat Blaswich, our goalkeeper manages to get something on the ball and then Kampl clears.
84TH MINUTE:
Nkunku has the ball in the back of the net, but a VAR check rules out the goal for offside. That would have probably been the game.
86TH MINUTE:
Hertha are not giving in. Selke manages to get a good shot off from a central position but Blaswich gets down brilliantly to save.
89TH MINUTE:
A patient attacking move from RBL sees Kevin Kampl shoots from the edge of the area but it’s just over the bar.
90TH MINUTE:
There are five minutes of added time.
89TH MINUTE:
Christo shoots from just inside the area, but his effort goes over the bar.
90+4TH MINUTE:
Kanga shoots and Blaswich pulls off a strong save to deflect ever so slightly onto the post!
FULL TIME
Phew! A huge fight, but in the end it’s three points for Leipzig!