RB Leipzig win 3-1 at home against SC Freiburg

RB Leipzig celebrated a 3-1 win at home against SC Freiburg on Wednesday evening. Mohamed Simakan (54’), Christopher Nkunku (56’) and Emil Forsberg (78’, pen.) scored for RBL. Lukas Kübler also got on the scoresheet for the guests (66’).

The hosts were dominant from the start, having 75% possession in the first 15 minutes. Faced with a resolute Freiburg defence, it took until the 16th minute for RBL to record their first chance on goal. Dominik Szoboszlai played a quick free kick to Nkunku, who chipped the ball over goalkeeper Mark Flekken and onto the post. André Silva missed the target in the 24th minute, as did Benjamin Henrichs (28’). Before the break, Willi Orbán (38’) forced Flekken into making a quick save to keep the Bulls at bay. The resulting corner crashed off the left post, as Szoboszlai hoped to catch everyone by surprise.

Despite a multitude of chances, Leipzig were unlucky to head into the break with the score still deadlocked. Christo came close not long into the second half (52’), before finally the deadlock was finally broken just two minutes later. First, Nkunku headed a free kick from Halstenberg onto the crossbar, as Mo Simakan converted from close range (54’). Just 111 seconds later, Christo scored himself to take his total tally this calendar year to 25 goals! Silva had a chance to add a third in the 58th minute, but Flekken was once again able to keep it out. Kübler was then able to get one back for the guests, with a well-struck volley from the edge of the box (66’). Leipzig were then awarded a penalty after Nkunku was taken down inside the box, with Forsberg stepping up to slot home the penalty (78’).

With the win, Leipzig are currently unbeaten in their last 12 games across all competitions. Marco Rose’s side now sit in fifth place with 25 points, just one point off the Champions League spots.
 

Match facts:

RB Lepzig:
Blaswich - Simakan, Orbán (C), Olmo (60' Forsberg), Szoboszlai (83' Poulsen), Nkunku, Silva (83' Raum), Halstenberg, Schlager, Gvardiol (23' Henrichs), Kampl (83' Haidara)

Bench: Nyland - Klostermann, Novoa
 

Sport-Club Freiburg:
Flekken - Lienhart, Eggestein, Kübler, Sildilla, Höfler (83' Keitel), Ginter, Jeong (59' Höler), Günter (C) (55' Sallai), Gregoritsch (55' Schade), Doan (59' Grifo)

Bench: Uphoff - Petersen, Wagner, Schlotterbeck
 

REFEREE:
Harm Osmers (Hanover)
 

GOALS:
1-0 Simakan (54'), 2-0 Nkunku (56'), 3-1 Forsberg (78') | 2-1 Kübler (66') 

YELLOW CARDS:
Nkunku (90'+5) | Doan (41'), Jeong (43'), Sildillia (46'), Sallai (88')
 

ATTENDANCE:
-

First-half highlights

KICK OFF
Wearing all white, our boys get this game underway!

10TH MINUTE:
We’re yet to see a single shot on target in this game. Nkunku has a go with a free kick from the left of the box, but Freiburg are able to put it out for a corner.

16TH MINUTE:
So close! Szoboszlai plays a quick free kick through the Freiburg defence, picking out Christo. Our number 18 runs onto the pass and chips it over SC goalkeeper Mark Flekken, but is unlucky to only hit the post. 

23RD MINUTE:
Marco Rose is forced into an early substituation, as Joško Gvardiol is unable to continue after colliding with teammate Willi Orban moments earlier. The Croatian was down and receiving treatment for a head wound before being taken off. Benny Henrichs is on in his place. Get well soon, Joško!

24TH MINUTE:
Schlager plays a long ball to Silva, who controls it perfectly before driving in to the box. His shot just misses the target.

28TH MINUTE:
Henrichs wins the ball in the opponent’s half and links up with Szoboszlai for a quick give and go just outside the box. His attempt goes wide of the left post.

33RD MINUTE: 
Olmo cuts the ball back to Silva inside the box, where he’s forced towards the goal line by Lienhart. The striker’s shot from a tight angle is blocked for a corner.

38TH MINUTE:
Willi Orbán is able to get off a header at the far post after a free kick. It bounces off Lienhart and heads on target, but Flekken is able to get down and make the save.

39TH MINUTE:
Szoboszlai sends a corner crashing onto the left post.

HALF TIME!
RB Leipzig look dominant so far but were unlucky to be denied by the woodwork on multiple occasions, despite having several chances. It seems just a matter of time until one of them ends up in the back of the net.

Second-half highlights:

46TH MINUTE:
Back underway in Leipzig, with no changes for either side.

52ND MINUTE:
Christo drives into the box and is able to get off a shot, but is denied by a quick reaction save from Flekken.

54TH MINUTE:
Szoboszlai lets loose a shot from outside the box, forcing Flekken to get down and push it out for a corner.

54TH MINUTE, GOAL FOR RB LEIPZIG!
Simakan opens the scoring! Halstenberg’s free kick is headed against the bar by Nkunku, with our number two reacting quickest to power home a shot from close range.

56TH MINUTE, GOAL FOR RB LEIPZIG!
A quickfire double! Szoboszlai makes a run down the right wing and picks out Nkunku in the middle. Christo times his shot perfectly to place it into the far right corner.

58TH MINUTE:
The ball lands with Silva up top, who attempts a left-footed shot. Flekken is able to get down and claw the ball away.

66TH MINUTE: 
Freiburg get a goal back. Leipzig struggle to clear a long throw-in as Halstenberg’s clearance falls to Kübler. He hits it one time and volleys a long-range hit past Blaswich.

73RD MINUTE:
Eggestein sends a cross into the box that finds Schade, but his header lands on the roof of the goal.

78TH MINUTE: GOAL FOR RB LEIPZIG!
Nkunku wins a penalty for RBL after being brought down inside the area. Forsberg steps up and coolly converts into the right right side of the goal, sending Flekken the wrong way.

FULL TIME! 
Our boys come out on top of a hard-fought game to earn another three points. Our unbeaten run continues!