Defeated the defending champions, the round of 16 within reach: RB Leipzig have defeated Real Madrid and taken a big step towards the knockout stages of the Champions League. Coach Marco Rose’s team beat the royals 3-2 (2-1) in front of their home crowd, so at least participation in the Europa League is already certain.
Josko Gvardiol (13′), Christopher Nkunku (18′) and Timo Werner (81′) scored the goals for Leipzig, who had unfortunately lost the first leg 2-0 in Madrid. Vinicius Junior (44′) and Rodrygo (90’+4′) scored the goals for Real.
“Today, even the Champions League winner had little to oppose. We played exactly what we wanted, big compliments to the team,” said national player Timo Werner at “DAZN”.
With nine points, RB is in second place in Group F and can make it into the round of 16 in the last group game against Shakhtar Donetsk (November 2nd), RB had lost the first leg 4-1.
Despite the prominent failures of Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, former world footballer Luka Modric and Federico Valverde, coach Marco Rose had warned of the star ensemble: You meet one of the “best squads in the world” to survive against Real , it needs “a lot of courage”.
Rose made three changes from the 3-3 draw at FC Augsburg, returning Mohamed Simakan, Amadou Haidara and Christopher Nkunku to the starting XI. Benjamin Henrichs, Kevin Kampl and Yussuf Poulsen took a seat on the bench, as did international striker Timo Werner, who was back in the squad after an infection. Before the game, the late Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz was remembered.
Leipzig double strike before the break
As requested by Rose, RB started the game bravely and got a shot from Emil Forsberg in the opponent’s penalty area right at the start, but failed to get through to Real keeper Thibaut Courtois. The guests, with former world champion Toni Kroos and national player Antonio Rüdiger in the starting XI, had their first dangerous chance a little later after a corner. However, Aurelien Tchouameni’s header landed on the side netting (5′).
Gvardiol finally gave Leipzig the lead after a corner. First Andre Silva failed at Courtois, Gvardiol followed suit and hit his head. And RB wanted more. After winning the ball in midfield, Nkunku stormed towards the opposing goal, leaving Courtois behind him, but only hit the side netting (16′). A little later, the offensive player was successful from close range.
Real turns on, Werner puts the knockout punch
Leipzig hardly let the Spanish champions come into play and defended consistently. Goalkeeper Janis Blaswich initially saved the shots from Rodrygo (35′) and Vinicius Junior (37′), but the 22-year-old scored the goal shortly before the break.
Madrid started better in the second half, and the game was now evenly matched for long stretches. However, both teams rarely managed to finish the attacks cleanly. Substitute Werner created a good opportunity to the left of the goal (71st) – and then completed a counterattack late on.