RB Leipzig has reached the semi-finals of the Europa League. The Saxons were able to hold back against the offensively strong Italians from Bergamo and use huge spaces. But in the end it got dramatic again.
At least in the Europa League, a German team has made it into the top four teams: In the hectic second leg of the quarter-finals, RB Leipzig defeated Atalanta Bergamo, who had been superior for a long time, a clever 2-0. The Saxons are in the semi-finals (first leg 1-1) and will meet the winner of the Glasgow Rangers duel against Sporting Braga, which will be decided at 9 p.m. Match winner was Christopher Nkunku, who scored twice (18th and 87th minute).
That’s how the game went
Domenico Tedesco, Leipzig coach, made a change in contrast to the first leg: Lukas Klostermann was only on the bench for the time being. Mohamed Simakan started for him in the defensive back three. Immediately after the game kicked off, the home team from Bergamo sent a signal: With an offensive urge, the Italians wanted to take the lead early on. But the degrees were still too safe.
Konrad Laimer (left) tries to get the ball under control. (Source: Daniele Mascolo/Reuters)
Bergamo was high and offered the Saxons large spaces – but they didn’t have a significant chance in the first quarter of an hour. It lasted until the 18th minute when Laimer was sent off with a long ball from within his own half and got through to the opposing goalkeeper Musso. He put it across to Nkunku, who put the ball in to make it 1-0.
From then on, Leipzig was better in the game and used the space of the high-ranking Italians. Shortly before the break, Bergamo picked up the pace again, but remained without a goal. RB also reported through Angelino: The Spaniard crossed the ball to Silva, who headed the ball into the middle – but no one from Leipzig went with it (40th).
The second half of the game started wildly: in the 51st minute, Bergamo got a free kick from 17 meters, which then caused a stir. A supposed handball by Leipzig’s Olmo led to protests from the Atalanta players. But the team of referees decided against it with the help of the video evidence. Breathe easy for RB.
The offensive around Nkunku and Laimer turned up again: Shortly after the free kick, Nkunku pushed the ball from the left into the sixteen. Goalkeeper Musso misjudged and the ball landed in front of Laimer’s feet. This narrowly missed the 2:0 (55th). A little later, Nkunku also failed in front of the goal. The offensive player prevailed again on the left with a body deception and wanted to shoot the ball into the short corner. But Musso parried powerfully with his shoulder (68′).
In the final phase, Bergamo threw everything forward again. However, the Italians failed because of the Leipzig defensive. Nkunku made it 2-0 with a penalty.