RB Leipzig defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday (10/25/22). Because the Celtics only drew against Donetsk in Group F, only Real has qualified for the round of 16 so far.
Leipzig started boldly and was immediately rewarded in the 13th minute: Joško Gvardiol saved a corner from Dominik Szoboszlai and a header from André Silva. Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois sensationally saved Silva’s header but was powerless to stop the follow-up shot. And RB immediately pushed further: First, Christopher Nkunku only hit the side netting against the goalkeeper who was too far in front of his goal (16th). But only a short time later, the French international nailed the ball from the fray under the bar (18th). Overwintering in the European Cup is already safe for RB.
Real wakes up late
After the hosts’ wave of attacks that lasted about 20 minutes, Real Madrid got into the game much better. Janis Blaswich, who was still a substitute for first-choice goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, suddenly had “work”. First, the keeper had to prove himself against Rodrygo with a powerful shot from nine meters (35′), just two minutes later, Leipzig’s goalie saved Vini Jr.
Shortly before the break, however, Blaswich was powerless: Marco Asensio got through well on the right and found Vini Jr. with his cross, who headed into the bottom right of the goal from the penalty spot (44th).
Big chance for Real, but Werner scores
Ten minutes before the end of the game, the Real fans already had the goal scream on their lips – but it died quickly because Vini Jr. tipped the ball past Blaswich and also past the goal. Timo Werner made it better on the other side a little later: after a sprint down the right side, the strong Mohamed Simakan fitted in perfectly in front of the Madrilenians’ goal, where Timo Werner, who had indicated his path with a hand signal, was able to insert it from a short distance.
The final point was Rodrygo (94th) with a converted penalty kick – Nkunku had come too late against the “royal”.
“We have exactly what we wanted. It’s in our own hands, we don’t even have to win”Werner said afterwards at DAZN. “We’ve always found solutions, posed problems for Real – that’s how you have to play against big teams.”
Leipzig now against Leverkusen
RB Leipzig will face Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on Saturday (October 29, 2022, 3:30 p.m.). Real Madrid have a day longer to recover and then host Girona FC in La Liga.