RB Leipzig takes a saw to Dortmund’s Europan chase #2609
RB Leipzig 2 Dortmund 0FT
On Saturday night in The primetime spot we would see a clash of Titans. Two of Germany's Premier clubs RB Leipzig host Dortmund. We are in Leipzig for this tremendous occasion. One of the fastest-growing cities in Germany. Leipzig has been tapped as the new Berlin with the growth of tourist interests in the city. It is a city that contrasts rich history and a fabulous tradition. It also is the home of the fastest-growing universities in Germany. There’s so much that is special about Leipzig. While the popularity of Leipzig as a tourist location hasn’t gotten there yet, over the years it has developed into one of the most fascinating cities. With plenty of landmarks such as Volkerschlachtdenkmal the largest war memorial in Europe. It is especially very visibly beautiful at night. We have the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig a 12th-century Romanesque between 1212 and 1222 the early structure became St. Thomas College. This college later became the University of Leipzig. It is very visually beautiful with a level of history. Of course the Marktplatz a fantastic place to spend a beautiful day. The Leipzig market is one of the most popularized parts of this great city. Then the Leipzig Bahnhof the most beautiful train station in Germany. Not only is it a great way of transportation, but it is a representative of the growing city of Leipzig. Leipzig seems to be playing a very dangerous game at the moment. They have recently fallen out of the Champions League position. Although everything remains very very tight between the number of teams Leipzig among them. They have not won a match in the league since February 9th. However, qualifying for the Champions League should be a bare minimum so much weaponary with Benjamin Sesko, Lois Openda & Xavi Simons. Everything begins to be very, very close around the Champions League spots. At home, despite the obstacle that can be brought Leipzig made a critical crossroad as they have almost been pushed into a must-win at home. Dortmund has been one of the most underwhelming teams in all of Germany this season. It has been a train wreck of a season. Dortmund currently sit 10th in the table after making the Champions League final last season and almost winning the title the year before they have imploded. Primarily due to their inability to handle their new arrivals. However, they have qualified for the quarterfinals of the Champions League as they will be taking on Barcelona in April. Dortmund typically has not done well against Leipzig as this puts them in a particularly difficult situation. After being swept by Leipzig last season. Dortmund did manage to beat them on November 2nd. Going into the Red Bull Arena and coming out with the results will have its difficulties. As kickoff approaches at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig
Dortmund aimed to take a sense of superiority from the start. They dominated the ball looking to open up opportunities to create some early separation in the 9th minute Karim Adeyemi delivers the ball into the center of the box Serhou Guirassy gets on the end of it as he strikes from close range Péter Gulácsi comes up with the stop. Leipzig looks to hit back as they look to exchange some moments early on. In the 13th minute Nicolas Seiwald supplies a pass just outside the box Benjamin Sesko strikes from distance, hence he unloads an effort into the Dortmund defense. They came back out swinging as they put it back into a dangerous spot Xavi Simons put a pass in for Christoph Baumgartner strike the ball from deep into the defense of Dortmund. Lois Openda strikes as he hits the follow-up off the rebound into the post. As Leipzig nearly open up the scoring. It just did not bounce their way. Xavi Simons retrieves the ball off the bounce from the post as the Dutchman strikes into the Dortmund defense again as they somehow have not found the back of that. Leipzig got back into the attacking area In the 17th minute David Raum strikes the ball from the side of the box Gregory Kobel comes up with the stop for Dortmund. However, the inevitable was ultimately going to come. In the 18th minute Leipzig get on the break Benjamin Sesko delivered a ball forward Xavi Simons retrieved it from inside the box as he sends it into the back of the net Leipzig took a 1-0 lead. It would be the seventh goal of the season for the Dutch midfielder. Dortmund would have to retool after falling behind. They still have found themselves with a significant amount of possession. They've just had to make it come off for them. In the 25th minute, They look to put it through the air Julian Ryerson sends the cross into the box Serhou Guirassy gets on the end of it as his header clashes with the opposing defense as a close-down on it quickly. Leipzig In the 28th minute looks to double the advantage Ridle Baku strikes from the side of the box. As he cuts inside Gregory Kobel makes a terrific save pushing the ball over the left corner after being stunted with a powerful strike. Unfortunately in the 33rd minute. Marcel Sabitzer picked up an injury and could not continue. Leipzig even with less of the ball persisted with strong attacking play. In the 35th minute, Christopher Baumgartner whips a pass to Ridle Baku He unloads a powerful strike from distance as he smashes it into the post. The second time Leipzig has hit the post in the first half. In the 40th minute, they ended up winning themselves a corner. David Raum sends it into the box El Chadaille Bitshiabu gets his head on the end of it as his header drags over the goal. Leipzig persists as they play with confidence. In the 42nd minute Xavi Simons strikes from the right of the box as he sends it over the right corner. In the 43rd minute Dortmund bring it down the other end. Karim Adeyemi facilitates a ball for Max Beier He strikes from close range but runs into the Leipzig defense as they close down on the young striker very quickly unable to get a clean look at it. In the 45th minute, Xavi Simons looks for another from distance. Karim Adeyemi strikes from outside the box as he tests Péter Gulácsi yet the Hungarian shot-stopper makes the save. This would signify the end of the first half with Leipzig holding on to a narrow 1-0 lead.
Leipzig has been moderately the most effective team thus far. They have had less of the ball yet. They have been significantly more dangerous going forward. Dortmund had the right idea initially going into the second half. In the 46th minute, Karim Adeyemi delivers a cross into the box Serhou Guirassy gets his head on the end of it. He rises providing a good touch but it does split wide as the timing was just a little bit off. In the 50th minute, Leipzig won themselves a corner kick. Xavi Simons delivers a cross near the far post Lois Openda makes a run down that side as he veers into the ball. He pierces his boot through it and he sends a strike into the top right corner as it flies into the roof of the net Leipzig. All of a sudden take a big step forward and they are in the driver's seat following another goal as Openda gives Leipzig a 2-0 lead. Surprisingly only his 11th goal of the season as he has been quite disappointing after nearly hitting 30 last season. However, the Belgium striker is devastating and can be a huge problem as shown with an excellent touch to put Leipzig firmly in front. They needed a quick reply before things started to fall further apart. Dortmund nearly do exactly that. In the 52nd minute, Julian Ryerson sends a cross into the box Max Beier gets his head on the end of it as he drives it into the post. Dortmund is near millimeters of possibly minimizing the deficit in a very crucial moment. Max Beier looks to build on his recent form lately. A match that is crying out for contributions from the young striker. In the 54th minute, Serhou Guirassy delivers a headed pass for Max Beier sticks his head on the end of the close range driving it towards goal Péter Gulácsi comes up with the stop again. Dortmund in the second half persisted with their attacking play. They were creating many opportunities. However, only few ended up being of a high quality. After two. Poor misses from Adeyemi and Brandt. In the 62nd minute Serhou Guirassy was played through on goal Adeyemi put in a through ball that separated him from the Leipzig defense Serhou Guirassy was right there to minimize the deficit. Dortmund's leading scorer needed to do better on that one. He wasted too much time with his spacing and hesitated too long as it would be viewed as an opportunity missed. Dortmund continued to push forward however Péter Gulácsi was prepared for everything. In the 64th minute, Karim Adeyemi struck the ball from outside the box and well-taken strike but did not phase the Hungarian as he made another save as frustration built on the backs of Dortmund. In the 67th minute, Leipzig attempted to slide in a third. Baku puts a well-timed ball into the run of Benjamin Sesko The Slovenian strikes in front of goal but unfortunately, his effort flies into the defense. In the 74th minute substitute Jamie Gittens strikes from the side of the box Péter Gulácsi tracks the ball well as he makes the stop. 4 minutes later in the 78th minute, Julian Brandt makes it run toward the box. He sends a pass into Jamie Gittens it is a complex angle as Leipzig defend the situation well. In the 79th minute, Dortmund won themselves a corner Nico Schlotterbeck gets a touch from the side of the box but drives it wide. In the 80th minute Jamie Gittens puts forward a through ball into the box Serhou Guirassy gets on the end of it but once again hesitates too much too as the defense able to close him down quickly. No matter what Dortmund did they continue to make it incredibly difficult on themselves. In the 84th minute, Jamie Gittens mismanages his touch as his effort trails off Target. In the 88th minute, it happened again Jamie Gittens trying to create enough separation to get a clean look but Leipzig always seemed to be one step ahead as they got in the way of it. In the 90th minute, Julian Brandt sends a cross into the box Carney Chukwuemeka puts his foot through it from the left side. Leipzig's defense gets on top of it patrolling the effort off trail. In the 94th minute Carney Chukwuemeka reps one from the side of the box Gulácsi makes a finger-tip save Beier comes with the follow-up but is denied again. Shortly after the referee blows his whistle and Leipzig come away with a 2-0 victory at Red Bull Arena.
Last season Leipzig beat Dortmund to prevent them from finishing in the top four. Fortunately, for Dortmund, they were bailed out because Germany was given an extra Champions League spy. However, that seems very unlikely they are seven points out of the final European spot. Even a trip to the conference League seems almost impossible now. The only way they can actually get into Europe is by winning the Champions League. Leipzig ever since Marco Rose has been in town has had Dortmund's number. Openda & Simons both end up finding the back of the net. As they certainly contributed to the victory. Leipzig also hit the popes twice and possibly could have found a third goal. However, the star of the show this evening was Péter Gulácsi as he saved everything that was thrown at them. It wasn't necessarily a bad Dortmund performance. It's just that Leipzig performed at a higher level. They needed it more. They're in a Champions League race with several other teams. It is all very close at the moment. Dortmund or nowhere near a European position right now and although they played well in the second half, they could not crack The door as Péter Gulácsi saved everything. With the victory. Leipzig is level on points with Freiburg and Frankfort. It's a shame one of these teams is not going to make Europe at all, which will be a tragedy because they all truly deserve it. This was a big step forward for them during this final stretch. Simons was outstanding in Midfield as he has quietly had an incredibly effective season with eight goals and five assists this season. Collectively from start to finish Leipzig handled the moment well and brushed Dortmund to the side. This is the second consecutive game that we have seen Dortmund have Brandt, Beier, and Guirassy together. Although they came up short, this approach is the only answer for them. They must continue to play these three as a trio. Although Max was truly the only one of the three that performed going away from the obvious thing to do will only hurt them more than it will help them. A shift might need to be made in some areas they had so many opportunities to score and just didn't fall. RB Leipzig win for the first time since February with a 2–1 victory to keep their Champions League race tight.
