Nkunku brace gives Leipzig first win of the season
Nkunku scores either side of half time | Strong defensive performance denies determined Wolfsburg attack | Xaver Schlager makes Leipzig debut
RB Leipzig picked up their first three points of the season on matchday 4 of the Bundesliga season. Domenico Tedesco’s side defeated VfL Wolfsburg 2-0 the Red Bull Arena after a brace from Christopher Nkunku (5’ and 90’).
RB Leipzig were the superior side in the first half and took an early lead in the 5th minute when Christopher Nkunku converted a penalty kick. Maxence Lacroix had handled the ball trying to clear a Dani Olmo cross. The Red Bulls continued to dominate the half and had more possession and a number of good chances to score through André Silva (12’, 35’) and Olmo (15’). Silva saw his efforts saved by Koen Casteels, while Olmo’s shot narrowly missed the target. At the other end, Tedesco’s side limited VfL to just one shot on target.
Wolfsburg were an improved side after the break, and although the second half began with a good chance for Konrad Laimer, whose powerful shot from distance was saved by Casteels (49’), it was the visitors who enjoyed a string of decent opportunities. Omar Marmoush was played in with a long ball on the counter attack and forced Janis Blaswich into a good save (49’). Lukas Nmecha (57’) and Josip Brekalo (60’) also saw Blaswich deny them, before Max Kruse hit the side netting (58’). Leipzig moved the ball quickly and were even more threatening after the introduction of Timo Werner, but chances to Christo (62’) Werner (78’) came to nothing. The icing on the cake finally came in the 90th minute, when Timo was sent deep down the right hit a low cross into Christo, who scored his second of the game from close range to round off a 2-0 win.
Statistics
RB LEIPZIG:
Blaswich - Simakan, Orbán (C), Olmo, Nkunku, Silva (64' Werner), Raum, Halstenberg (81' Schlager), Laimer, Henrichs (42' Gvardiol), Kampl (64' Haidara)
Unused subs: Nickisch - Forsberg, Ba, Novoa
VFL Wolfsburg:
Casteels - Lacroix, van de Ven, Otávio, Kruse, L. Nmecha (59' Waldschmidt), Kaminski (46' Marmoush), Philipp (59' Brekalo), Baku, Arnold (C) (72' Svanberg), Guilavogui (46' F. Nmecha)
Unused subs: Pervan - Fischer, Bornauw, Franjic
REFEREE:
Bastian Dankert (Schwerin)
GOALS:
1-0 Nkunku (5', penalty), 2-0 Nkunku (90')
YELLOW CARDS:
Henrichs (8'), Laimer (47') | Arnold (26'), Otávio (51'), Baku (53')
ATTENDANCE:
41,243 - Red Bull Arena
First half highlights
Kick off:
Let’s go, Leipzig!
3rd minute:
Lacroix dives to head clear an Olmo cross but handles the ball. Penalty to Leipzig!
5th minute, GOOOAAL for Leipzig!
Christo steps up and finishes into the bottom left corner. What a start!
8th minute:
That’s Christo’s 16th goal of the calendar year. No other player has scored more often (Lewandowski also has 16).
12th minute:
Silva heads a cross from the left towards goal, but Casteels can make an easy save.
15th minute:
Christo gets to a long ball and gets to the byline before cutting the ball back. Van de Ven can’t stop the ball landing at the feet of Olmo, who beats two Wolfsburg players before shooting, but it goes wide of the left post.
20th minute:
Leipzig are in control here and have had 61% of the ball. At the other end, the visitors are yet to record a shot on target.
23rd minute:
RBL are transitioning very quickly here. Olmo finds Raum on the left, who hits a sharp cross into the area. Wolfsburg are unable to clear and the ball bounces around in the area before Casteels secures it.
31st minute:
Arnold tries an effort from long range but it’s blocked by Orbán. Leipzig have defended well so far and Blaswich hasn’t had anything to do.
33rd minute:
Henrichs has the next attempt with a shot from outside the area. It’s just wide of the top-left corner.
35th minute:
RBL with a direct attack through the middle. Christo finds André Silva, who gets into the area on the right. He shoots with his right, but it’s a bit too central and Casteels can save.
42nd minute:
The first change of the game: Benny Henrichs, who received an early yellow card, is replaced by Joško Gvardiol.
Half time!
Christo’s penalty gives Domenico Tedesco’s side a deserved lead. More of the same in the second half!
Second half highlights
46th minute:
The second half is underway. No changes for Leipzig. Wolfsburg bring on Felix Nmecha and Marmoush for Guilavogui and Kaminski.
49th minute:
Laimer shoots from the edge of the area after the ball is headed out from a corner. Casteels fumbles the swerving ball but is able to dive on the rebound ahead of Simakan.
49th minute:
The visitors show the first real sign of life. On the counter attack, Marmoush is sent deep with a long ball down the right. He gets into the area and forces Blaswich into a strong save.
55th minute:
Silva and Olmo link up with an impressive one-two in the Wolfsburg area but the visitors are able to scramble the ball clear.
57th minute:
Baku crosses into the area towards Lukas Nmecha, who heads on goal. Blaswich reacts brilliantly and pushes round the post for a corner.
58th minute:
Wolfsburg come close again. A long ball into the penalty area sees the ball fall to Kruse at the back post. He hits it first time on the volley and it hits the side netting.
60th minute:
Brekalo finds space outside the area and shoots from around 19 metres. It’s deflected on goal and Blaswich readjusts before diving back to claw over the bar.
62nd minute:
Christo is played in behind the defence down the left and shoots one-on-one, but his left-footed shot from a narrow angle goes into the side netting.
64th minute:
Double change: Werner and Haidara come on for Silva and Kampl.
70th minute:
Captain Willi Orbán meets a corner from the left, but his header is held by Casteels.
76th minute:
Timo played in behind after a pass from van de Ven is intercepted. He tries to shoot on goal but the Woflsburg centre back recovers brilliantly to block with a slide tackle.
78th minute:
Olmo plays a diagonal ball to the right of the penalty area, where Halstenberg heads back towards the centre to Timo. However, our number 11’s volley goes over the bar.
81st minute:
Debut! Xaver Schlager makes his first appearance for the club, replacing Marcel Halstenberg.
84th minute:
Wofsburg are getting dangerous again. Kruse has the ball in the area and shoots but it’s blocked by Orban. The rebound falls back to the striker and he hits it wide of the far post.
90th minute, GOOOAAAL for Leipzig!
That seals it! Timo is sent down the right, near the byline. He looks up and plays a low cross towards Christo in the area. The ball is deflected but gets through, and Nkunku takes a touch to control and wrongfoot Casteels before tapping in from yards out. Nicely done!
Full time!
Our boys celebrate their first win of the 2022/23 season!