RB Leipzig secured a place in the knockout stage on the final day of the group stage in the Champions League. The Saxons clearly defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 on Wednesday (November 2nd, 2022). At the game in Warsaw, which was not played in Donetsk due to the war in Ukraine, Leipzig fans apparently experienced nasty surprises when entering the stadium.
Christopher Nkunku put RB in front (10th), after the break André Silva increased (50th) and set the course for victory. Dominik Szoboszlai (62nd) and Dani Olmo (68th) left no doubt with their goals that Leipzig reached the round of 16. After the end of the game, the fourth goal was counted as an own goal by Valerij Bondar, who had slightly deflected Olmo’s shot with his head.
“We really wanted to get ahead. I’m proud of the team, of our performance and our development,” Emil Forsberg said, delighted about reaching the round of 16.
The opening goal for coach Marco Rose’s team came early: After Timo Werner failed from a promising position, Nkunku was spot on when Werner had his second top-class chance at the penalty spot and shot the ball through the legs that had been blocked by Donetsk keeper Anatoliy Trubin Ukrainian defender into the goal.
Werner injured – Rose: “Doesn’t seem to be anything wild”
Shortly thereafter, Werner had to be replaced injured. The national player suffered an ankle injury in a duel and limped off the field in the 19th minute of the game. At the press conference after the game, RB coach Marco Rose gave the all-clear. “Hopefully it’s not that bad for Timo. But it just couldn’t be done anymore. He was in pain when he stepped on it. We have to examine it more closely now. But the doc says it doesn’t seem to be anything wild for now.” On November 10th, national coach Hansi Flick will nominate his World Cup squad. Werner has been part of the German squad since March 2017, and the attacker is a permanent fixture for Qatar.
Silva’s goal calms the nerves
RB largely controlled the game after the opening goal, but there were still few chances to score. Donetsk tried to use the space that opened up in the meantime, but mostly got stuck on the strong Leipzig defense chief Willy Orban.
After the change of sides, the hosts started more concentrated. But at the first chance that arose, RB increased: Simakan headed high and well in front of the left post after a cross. Silva prevailed there and pushed the ball into the short corner from a tight angle.
But the Central Germans were not satisfied with that: First, Nkunku Szoboszlai sent alone in the direction of the Ukrainian goal, where the Hungarian rounded the keeper and slotted in. Then, just a minute after being substituted on, Olmo flicked the ball from the left with a right into the far corner and made it 4-0 to end what was ultimately a one-sided game. With this win, Leipzig secured second place in Group F behind Real Madrid and thus reached the round of 16.
Leipzig fans apparently “touched in the intimate area” at admission control
Before the Champions League game in Warsaw, RB Leipzig fans criticized what they saw as unjustified strict admission controls. Fans described on Twitter that women almost had to undress and that minors “were groped intensely in the intimate area without cause”. The club confirmed that. As a consequence, the active fan scene decided to dismantle the choreography planned for the game against Donetsk. In addition, the fan banners were hung upside down as a sign of protest.
Leipzig in the league at 1899 Hoffenheim
RB Leipzig takes on TSG Hoffenheim on the 13th match day of the Bundesliga. The game starts on Saturday (05.11.2022) at 3.30 p.m. The draw for the round of 16 in the Champions League will take place next Monday in Nyon/Switzerland.