Important three points for RBL!
RBL went ahead in the third minute. David Raum brought the ball into the Darmstadt penalty area, after a short corner kick, and SVD defender Thomas Isherwood deflected with his chest into his own net. Leipzig pushed for a second, but the guests withstood the pressure.
In the 23rd minute the “Lilien” ventured forward. Gerrit Holtmann aimed for the far corner with his left, Peter Gulacsi got down and deflected the ball for a corner. After a good half hour we increased the tempo again, Xavi and Eljif Elmas with good chances in the penalty area (33rd/40th).
After the break our boys immediately went in search for a second goal. Lois Openda had two big chances from close range, the first of which was thwarted by Darmstadt keeper Marcel Schuhen. In the 50th minute, Christoph Baumgartner, who came on as a substitute at the break, was finally able to make it 2-0 with a low shot.
Darmstadt came back through Julian Justvan, Castello Jr. and Peter Gulacsi cleared together (52′).The next chance fell to Lois Openda a little later, before Pete made two strong saves against Oscar Vilhelmsson and Tobias Kempe (66′). After that, RBL had everything under control again and Benjamin Sesko almost increased the score in stoppage time.
How did the game go? Here you can find all the highlights and statistics.
BUNDESLIGA | RB LEIPZIG – SV DARMSTADT 98
LINE UPS
RBL: Gulacsi – Simakan (87th Henrichs), Castello Jr., Orban (C), Raum – Kampl (77th Seiwald), Schlager – Xavi, Elmas (46th Baumgartner) – Poulsen (77th Sesko), Openda (70th Olmo)
SVD: Schuhen – Isherwood, Klarer, A. Müller (46th Karic) – Franjic (84th Gjasula), Kempe (C), Justvan, Holtmann (68th Honsak) – Torsiello (46th Polter) – Skarke, Vilhelmsson (68th Seydel)
RBL unused subs: Blaswich (gk) – Lenz, Bitshiabu, Haidara
SVD unused subs: Brunst (gk) – J. Müller, Pfeiffer, Zimmermann
GOALS
1-0 Isherwood (3rd, OG), 2-0 Baumgartner (50th)
YELLOW CARDS
A. Müller (2), Klarer (7), Franjic (4)
OFFICIALS
Referee: Robert Hartmann (cheeks)
Assistant: Christian Pfarrer (Landshut)
2nd assistant: Markus Schüller (Korschenbroich)
Fourth official: Richard Hempel (Großnaundorf)
Video assistant: Matthias Jöllenbeck (Freiburg)
ATTENDANCE
44,319 at the Red Bull Arena
3RD MINUTE: RBL GRAB THE EARLY LEAD
- That was quick! RBL take a short corner and David Raum brings the ball into the penalty area. Wili Orban missed the pass, but SVD defender Thomas Isherwood chests the ball into his own net.
15TH MINUTE: DOMINANT START
- It’s been all RBL in the first 15 minutes here. We play the ball well and are superior in all respects, Darmstadt cannot get out of their own half. Our boys are searching for the second goal.
23RD MINUTE: GULACSI IS CALLED INTO ACTION
- Lo and behold, the guests’ first real attack is dangerous. Darmstadt fight for the ball and quickly counter, Julian Justvan passes to the free Gerrit Holtmann on the left hand side . The finish is well placed, Peter Gulacsi has to stretch.
33RD MINUTE: XAVI IN THE PENALTY AREA
- Fine combination on the right side and now we almost find the finish in the Darmstadt box. Kevin Kampl feeds the ball flat towards the penalty spot, where Lois Openda lets it run. Xavi is there, but at the last second a defender gets his foot in the way.
40TH MINUTE: ELMAS HAS A GO
- Good move from Eljif Elmas, our number six tries to dribble on his own. He takes a shot in the penalty area, but Marcel Schuhen parries it to safety.
47TH MINUTE: DOUBLE CHANCE FOR OPENDA
- Things are getting off to a really good start. Christoph Baumgartner, who came on as a substitute at the break, passed through to Lois Openda, whose shot was parried well by goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen .
Shortly afterwards, our striker knees a cross from Mo Simakan, just wide.
50TH MINUTE: BAUMI BREAKS THROUGH!
- Fine individual action! Christoph Baumgartner has too much space centrally and hits an superb shot with his right into the corner.
52ND MINUTE: DARMSTADT ANSWER BACK
- The South Hessians answer almost immediately. A cross from Gerrit Holtmann lands at Julian Justvan, who scrambles for the ball several times. The second time, Castello Jr. beats him and Peter Gulacsi clears with a long leg.
55TH MINUTE: OPENDA AGAIN
- Another big chance, we can hardly keep up. Mo Simakan runs through on the right side, the angle is a bit tight and Marcel Schuhen can parry. However, the ball goes into the air but Lois Openda unfortunately heads it over.
66TH MINUTE: GULACSI TWICE STRONG
- Suddenly Peter Gulacsi also has twice the work. Oscar Vilhelmsson takes a solo run down the left side and our goalkeeper stops his shot. The rebound goes to Tobias Kempe and Pete also has to parry his shot to the side.
85TH MINUTE: INTO THE FINAL PHASE
- The fast pace has gone. Our team have slowed down a gear, and we have everything under control.