In an entertaining game, RB Leipzig’s offensive in the Bundesliga against courageous guests from Bremen was decisive. Xavi Simons scored twice in his comeback against Werder – in front of Jürgen Klopp in the box.
On Sunday, Leipzig won 4:2 (2:1). Attacker Xavi Simons (24th minute, 35th) made an impressive return with a brace after his almost three-month injury break. Benjamin Sesko (47th) and Christoph Baumgartner (90th) also scored. The Bremen goals were scored by Mitchell Weiser (26th) and Oliver Burke (90th + 3).
Jürgen Klopp also saw Leipzig’s victory. The former Liverpool coach is the new head of football for the Red Bull club. Klopp sat in the box for the first time, and the 57-year-old will be officially introduced in Salzburg (Austria) on Tuesday. And Klopp should be offered the best football entertainment this Sunday.
New RB football boss Klopp is well entertained
However, RB initially had difficulty finding gaps in the well-organized Werder defense. Leipzig’s record showed no shot on goal after 20 minutes, Bremen closed the gap.
Werder then felt painfully that the home team had a high individual class. The guests looked old when Leipzig threw in: Lois Openda lured Anthony Jung, who had rushed out, out of the defensive line and laid it off for Simons. He rushed into the gap and scored to give Leipzig the lead.
Werder Bremen playfully defies Leipzig
A bitter scene for Bremen, who had actually caused the more dangerous scenes up to that point thanks to their strong switching game. Romano Schmid almost hit his chest after a cross from Marco Grüll, but the ball went just wide (11th).
Werder didn’t argue, but got back together quickly. Coach Ole Werner’s team managed to respond promptly. Bremen showed an exhilarating short pass combination over six or seven stations. This ended with a backheel assist from Grüll for Weiser, who finished directly in the penalty area and equalized.
Sesko’s beam hits the corner of the Bremen goal
Almost spurred on by this scene, the Leipzig team put their stamp on the game again. And Bremen provided involuntary assistance. Senne Lynen unnecessarily let a cross pass through in midfield during his own attack, and Leipzig’s Simons took off. His shot was slightly deflected by Jung, leaving Bremen’s goalkeeper Michael Zetterer unstoppable – 2-1 for RB.
Leipzig repeatedly managed to disrupt Bremen in the build-up game, switch and overrun Werder. Weiser lost the ball shortly after the restart, and Sesko punished the loss of the ball with a real beam from a distance into the corner.
Two goals in a rapid final phase
It was definitely a bitter game for the brave Bremen team. They blew through it at first. Coach Werner brought in attacker Burke and winter signing Issa Kaboré as fresh players (67th). A winter transfer also made its debut at Leipzig: Ridle Baku, fresh from Wolfsburg, replaced David Raum (65th).
In the final phase it became entertaining again. First, Antonio Nusa (78th, 81st) and Willi Orban (79th) could have increased for RB – but substitute Baumgartner only did that later. Burke’s goal to make the final score 2:4 was nothing but waste from Werder’s perspective.
Leipzig in Stuttgart, Bremen welcomes Heidenheim
RB Leipzig has an away game in Stuttgart next English week. Werder Bremen are at home against 1. FC Heidenheim (both games on Wednesday, 8.30 p.m.).