1-0 in Gladbach: Timo Werner grabs the winner!
Scrappy first half | Substitutes make the difference | Timo Werner scores decider in second half | Fifth win in a row for RBL
Leipzig march on!
RBL won 1-0 away at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday afternoon, extending their winning streak in all competitions to five games.
The first half at the Borussia-Park was dominated by a lot of challenges, with few chances for either side. The hosts were aggressive in defence and looked to get on the front foot, but Leipzig kept things tight. The first dangerous opening came in the sixth minute, as Maximilian Wöber headed over from a corner. RBL responded in the 20th minute through Benjamin Sesko, though his effort was blocked in the box.
Shortly afterwards, the hosts were once again threatening to go in front. Julian Weigl's deflected free-kick went just wide. RBL also almost went into the break with the lead, as Fabio Carvalho's curled effort forced Gladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicholas into a fantastic save (45').
The Leipzig boys made a great start to the second half. A through ball from Xavi found Lois Openda in the Gladbach box, however his shot was saved. RBL continued to pile the pressure on the Foals, but they weren't completely dominant. Gladbach threatened again in the 63rd minute, but Janis Blaswich was able to tip Rocco Reitz's header over the bar. The winning goal came 15 minutes before the final whistle: Yussuf Poulsen won the ball back and the away side broke quickly. Xavi found Timo Werner in acres of space and our number 11 rounded the goalkeeper and fired home from a tight angle to open the scoring. RBL didn't give Gladbach a sniff for the rest of the game and took home the three points.
5th minute: RBL dominate possession
The boys are happy to spread the ball around from the outset and are trying time and again to get it to the strikers, but Gladbach are switched on and defending with aggression.
6th minute: Danger from Borussia corner
Gladbach look threatening with their first corner of the game. Wöber gets to the ball before Mo Simakan, but his header goes comfortably over the bar.
10th minute: Last-second clearance from Raum
Once again, Gladbach are on the attack. After breaking away quickly and with numbers, Netz finds some space down the left and puts in a dangerous pass across the face of goal, which David Raum is just about able to clear away.
20th minute: Sesko down the left
Benjamin Sesko latches onto a ball over the top and forces his way into the box. He gets a shot off, but Wöber sticks out a leg to block his effort.
23rd minute: Gladbach free-kick in a great position
Close! The hosts are awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the box. Weigl takes it and his deflected effort flashes just wide of the bottom corner.
35th minute: Leipzig's iron defence
We're struggling to play how we normally play and not much is happening up front, but RBL aren't giving Gladbach much of a sniff at the other end of the pitch either.
45th minute: Carvalho almost puts us in the lead
RBL have their first real chance of the game. Xavi drives with the ball in midfield and feeds Carvalho. The midfielder, who's making his first Bundesliga start, works some space for himself and lets fly! His effort is curling towards the bottom-right corner, but Gladbach 'keeper Nicholas manages to parry it away strongly.
47th minute: Leipzig start the second half quickly
The referee's whistle means we're back underway again. Xavi plays a through-ball to Lois Openda, who manages to get into the Gladbach box. Despite his eyeline being obscured, Nicholas gets down and saves the Belgian's effort.
60th minute: RBL running the show
Marco Rose's team are able to put more pressure on Gladbach in their half. The game is mostly being played on the host's side of the pitch and we're plugging away to try and take the lead. The Foals' pressing isn't as intense as it was in the first half.
63th minute: Blaswich saves the day
We haven't been truly threatened for a long time, but suddenly there's a chance. Gladbach break free down the left and Reitz heads goalwards following a cross from Honorat, but Janis Blaswich produces a great save to tip the ball over the bar.
75th minute: Werner puts us into the lead!
There we go! Yussuf Poulsen wins the ball back and passes to Xavi. The Dutchman then manages to find Timo Werner in acres of space. He rounds the goalkeeper and fires home from a tight angle to put us into the lead!
Bundesliga | Borussia Mönchengladbach – RB Leipzig
LINE-UPS
BMG: Nicolas – Itakura, Weigl (C), Honorat (64' Ngoumou), Jordan (64' Plea), Kone (79' Hack), Netz, Reitz (79' Kramer), Scally (79' Neuhaus), Elvedi, Wöber
RBL: Blaswich – Simakan, Openda (70' Poulsen), Carvalho (70' Baumgartner), Xavi (84' Seiwald), Raum, Castello Jr., Schlager (84' Klostermann), Sesko (70' Werner), Henrichs, Kampl (C)
BMG bench: Sippel (GK), Friedrich, Herrmann, Neuhaus, Plea, Ngoumou, Kramer, Jantschke, Hack
RBL bench: Gulacsi (GK), Lenz, Poulsen, Forsberg, Werner, Seiwald, Baumgartner, Klostermann, Moriba
GOAL
0-1 Werner (75')
YELLOW CARDS
Scally (65') | Raum (24')
Officials:
Referee: Robert Schröder (Hannover)
First assistant: Norbert Grudzinski (Hamburg)
Second assistant: Jan Clemens Neitzel-Petersen (Norderstedt)
Fourth official: Robert Kampka (Köln)
Video assistant: Sören Storks (Velen)
Attendance
49,000 at the Borussia-Park
Kick-off
15:30 CEST
