2-1 defeat away against Borussia Dortmund

RB Leipzig lost 2-1 away to league leaders Borussia Dortmund on Friday night. Marco Reus (21’) and Emre Can (39’) gave the hosts an early two-goal lead, before Emil Forsberg pulled one back in the second half (74’). RB remain on 42 points, with Dortmund now top on 49.

Leipzig had early chances through Dominik Szoboszlai (5’) and Christopher Nkunku (7’) in an end-to-end first half. Dortmund looked to have taken the lead after 13 minutes from one of their many dangerous balls over the defence, but Julian Brandt handled the ball in the build-up following Jude Bellingham’s pass and his goal was therefore ruled out.

In the 20th minute, Marius Wolf played Marco Reus in behind and he was brought down by Janis Blaswich in the area. The Dortmund captain stepped up to score the penalty (21’). Just as Leipzig started to control the game more, Emre Can’s deflected shot from the edge of the box left Blaswich with no chance (39’) and BVB therefore led 2-0 at the break.

Just like in the first half, Leipzig had the first opportunity in the second half. André Silva’s effort with the outside of his foot flew just wide (48’). Blaswich made a fantastic spot to deny Reus (67’), while Silva (70’) and Szoboszlai (71’) couldn’t find the back of the net at the other end. However, Emil Forsberg could, getting on the end of David Raum’s low cross (74’).

RBL pressed for an equaliser and very nearly got it in injury time. Substitute Timo Werner was denied by Nico Schlotterbeck’s shoulder (94’) and Meyer punched away Forsberg’s volley from the resulting corner (95’). BVB therefore held on for a 10th consecutive win in all competitions in 2023.

Match Info:

Borussia Dormund:
Meyer – Schlotterbeck, Özcan (83′ Dahoud), Haller (72′ Modeste), Reus (C) (72′ Bynoe-Gittens), Wolf, Brandt (83′ Hummels), Belligham, Can, Süle, Ryerson

Bench: Lotka – Reyna, Guerreiro, Meunier, Passlack

RB Leipzig:
Blaswich – Orbán (C) (71′ Simakan), Haidara (84′ Kampl), Forsberg, Szoboszlai, Nkunku (83′ Werner), Silva (72′ Poulsen), Halstenberg (61′ Raum), Schlager, Gvardiol, Henrichs

Bench: Nyland – Klostermann, Clark

Referee:
Sven Jablonski (Bremen)

Goals:
0-1 Reus (21′ penalty), 0-2 Can (39′) | 1-2 Forsberg (74′)

Yellow cards:
Özcan (29′), Brandt (55′) | Nkunku (15′), Haidara (17′), Halstenberg (38′), Silva (45’+3), Henrichs (52′)

ATTENDANCE:
81,365

First half highlights:

BVB were forced into a change shortly before kick off. Gregor Kobel suffered from muscular problems during the warm-up and was therefore replaced by Alexander Meyer.

1ST MINUTE:
We’re underway in Dortmund!

3RD MINUTE:
A brilliant pass from Szoboszlai sets Nkunku in behind the Dortmund defence. Nico Schlotterbeck gets back with a big challenge to deny him a shot at the last second.

5TH MINUTE:
Szoboszlai lets rip from around 25 yards out. Meyer gathers the powerful strike at the second attempt.

7TH MINUTE:
Christo skins Can after a pass from Forsberg and drives into the box. His shot flies a few yards wide after Can got back to put him off.

13TH MINUTE:
Bellingham plays a lovely ball over the RBL defence and finds Brandt. He brings the ball down and slots it past Blaswich into the bottom corner. However, the ball hit his arm as he controlled it and VAR rules out the goal.

15TH MINUTE:
Christo is booked for a foul on Reus.

17TH MINUTE:
Haidara also goes into the book for bringing down Özcan.

19TH MINUTE:
A great tackle from Gvardiol! Bellingham and Brandt combine again, but this time Joško slides in to block his shot.

20TH MINUTE:
Penalty for Dortmund! Wolf plays it to Reus, who rounds Blaswich and is then caught by our goalkeeper.

21ST MINUTE, 1-0 for BVB
Janis dives the right way but cannot keep out Reus’ accurate penalty.

29TH MINUTE:
The first yellow for Dortmund as Özcan fouls Henrichs in midfield.

39TH MINUTE, 2-0 for BVB
Brandt whips in a free-kick which is cleared, but only to Can on the edge. His shot takes an unfortunate deflection and leaves Blaswich with no chance.

HALF TIME:
An end-to-end first half comes to a close. A clinical Dortmund side have a two-goal lead despite some good signs from our boys.

First half in photos

Second half highlights:

Both teams made no changes for the second half.

46TH MINUTE:
We’re back underway. Come on, lads!

48TH MINUTE:
Not far from an equaliser! Silva’s effort with the outside of his boot flies just past the far post.

52TH MINUTE:
Henrichs picks up the next yellow card for a tackle on Ryerson.

61ST MINUTE:
Our first change sees David Raum replace Marcel Halstenberg.

67TH MINUTE:
What a save from Janis! Reus aims for the top corner just inside the penalty box, but Blaswich tips the shot over the bar brilliantly.

69TH MINUTE:
Meyer heads the ball clear before Nkunku can get there. Schlotterbeck then puts it out for a throw-in before we get a shot at an open goal.

70TH MINUTE:
Silva shoots with his right foot in the area, Meyer saves well.

71ST MINUTE:
Henrichs gives it to Szoboszlai on the edge, his shot goes just inches wide. So close!

74TH MINUTE, GOAAAL FOR LEIPZIG!
Schlager plays a sublime pass to Raum on the left. He fires a low ball into the danger zone and Forsberg slides in at the back post. He finds the back of the net and Leipzig are back in it!

76TH MINUTE:
Emil has now scored in three consecutive Bundesliga games for the first time in his career.

83TH MINUTE:
A double change. Werner and Kampl are on for Nkunku and Haidara.

86TH MINUTE:
Schlager stays down after a foul by Modeste and needs treatment. He cannot continue and we will have to play the final few minutes with a man down.

90TH MINUTE:
Five minutes of added time. Push for that goal, lads!

90+4TH MINUTE:
That was the chance. Timo’s powerful shot from close range is destined for the top corner, until Schlotterbeck gets his shoulder in the way to deflect it past the post.

90+5TH MINUTE:
Another chance! The corner comes to Emil and he volleys towards goal. Meyer punches it away.

FULL TIME
It’s all over, our lads come away with nothing despite a fighting performance.