3-1 in Bern! Victory in first Champions League game of the season

We kick off our Champions League campaign with three points!

RB Leipzig keep their winning streak rolling with a 3-1 victory over Young Boys in the first Champions League game of the season.

The boys got off to a flying start and had four shots in the first three minutes of the match. Mohamed Simakan nodded us into the lead following a corner from David Raum (3').

It took a while, but the hosts started to grow into the game and eventually equalised through Meschack Elia. His shot from the edge of the box flew past Janis Blaswich into the back of the net (33').

The second half started with a bang. Xavi was caught by Young Boys 'keeper Anthony Racioppi in the hosts' box, but the referee decided against awarding RBL a penalty even after a VAR check (53').

Leipzig turned up the heat, which resulted in a goal for Benjamin Šeško that was ruled out for offside. Xaver Schlager then wound up a shot from about 25 yards out and found the bottom corner to make the score 2-1 (73'). Shortly before the final whistle, Šeško sealed the win - Benjamin Henrichs put the Slovenian through on goal and our striker kept his nerve to coolly slot the ball past the 'keeper (90+2').
 

3rd minute: Simakan heads home!

The RBL boys come flying out the blocks! Xavi wins the ball in midfield and releases Loïs Openda just inside the box, but he tries to beat the goalkeeper at his near post and can only find the side netting. Further shots from Xaver Schlager and Yussuf Poulsen follow, with the latter resulting in the game’s first corner. David Raum’s delivery finds the run of Mohamed Simakan and his header has too much power for Racioppi. 1-0 to Leipzig!
 

13th minute: So close!

Kevin Kampl does brilliantly to win the ball in the middle of the park and launch a counter. Xavi takes over possession, feints past his man onto his left and fires a shot inches wide of the post. 
 

20th minute: First effort from Young Boys

The home side are starting to find their feet now after a commanding opening period from Leipzig. Young Boys’ first shot is courtesy of Ulisses Garcia from a corner, although it’s comfortably wide of the target.
 

29th minute: Power over placement

Everything is going through Xavi! The Dutchman weaves his way into the box again and lays the ball off for the overlapping Benjamin Henrichs. The right-back’s thunderous shot flies high and wide though
 

33rd minute: Equaliser

Young Boys level things up at 1-1, and deservedly so you have to say. Urgrinic spots Elia, whose instant control allows him to quickly follow up with a toe-poke that flies past Janis Blaswich and into the top corner. Reaction needed now. 
 

45th minute: Promising free-kick

Benito goes in hard against Xavi, earning himself the first yellow card of the game. It offers David Raum an opportunity to try his luck from a free-kick just before the half-time whistle, but it’s a fairly comfortable save for the goalkeeper.
 

48th minute: Very nearly back in front!

Loïs Openda and then Yussuf Poulsen come close with a double chance at the start of the second half, but Racioppi gets himself in the way of both efforts to keep the scores level. 
 

53rd minute: Xavi’s penalty shout falls on deaf ears

A defence-splitting pass sends Xavi into the box with just the goalkeeper to beat. He knocks the ball past Racioppi before going down after contact with his foot. The referee goes over to the review area to have a closer look, but somewhat controversially still decides against a penalty. 
 

62nd minute: What a chance! What a save!

David Raum whips in a free-kick from the left that soars all the way through to the unmarked Openda at the far post, and he throws himself into a diving header. However, the Young Boys goalkeeper makes himself big and somehow manages to block the shot from point-blank range. 
 

67th minute: Offside flag denies Šeško

Benjamin Šeško hasn’t been on the pitch for long, yet he already has the ball in the back of the net. Unfortunately, the striker was marginally offside before he headed home David Raum’s free-kick.
 

73rd minute: Xaver restores the lead!

What a hit! RB Leipzig go back in front thanks to a well-hit strike from Xaver Schlager. The Austrian finds the bottom corner from around 25 yards to put the visitors 2-1 in front!
 

83rd minute: Tense ending

Young Boys haven’t given up yet. The Swiss hosts continue to put RBL under pressure, and captain Kevin Kampl passionately calls for full focus from his teammates. It’s going to be a tense final ten minutes or so. 
 

90th minute +2: Šeško wraps things up!

Now we can relax! Benjamin Henrichs drives forward on a counter and times his pass perfectly for Benjamin Šeško to beat the offside trap. He has fellow substitute Timo Werner in support with only the goalkeeper to beat, but the Slovenian coolly opts to tuck the ball away to secure a 3-1 win.
 

Champions League | Young Boys – RB Leipzig

Line-ups

YB: Racioppi – Amenda, Ugrinic, Itten (69' Ganvoula), Camara (C), Elia, Janko (69' Blum), Niasse (85' Nsame), Garcia (77' Persson), Benito, Lauper (77' Males)

RBL: Blaswich – Simakan, Poulsen (64' Šeško), Forsberg (79' Baumgartner), Openda (88' Werner), Xavi (88' Lenz), Raum, Castello Jr., Schlager, Henrichs, Kampl (C)

YB bench: Von Ballmoos (GK), Marzino (Tor), Lakomy, Imeri, Chaiwa, Lustenberger, Monteiro

RBL bench: Gulácsi (GK), Seiwald, Carvalho, Köhler
 

Goals

0-1 Simakan (3'), 1-1 Elia (33'), 1-2 Schlager (73'), 1-3 Šeško (90+2')
 

Yellow cards:

Benito (45'), Lauper (61'), Blum (77') | Kampl (56'), Xavi (68'), Forsberg (79'), Simakan (90')
 

Officials:

Referee: Enea Jorgji (Albania)

1st Assistant: Denis Rexha (Albania)

2nd Assistant: Ridiger Cojak (Albania)

Fourth official: Florian Lata (Albania)

VAR: Marco Guida (Italy)

Attendance:
31,500 at the Stadion Wankdorf (sold-out)
 

Kick off:
18:45 CEST