Three goals in just over four minutes!
Xavi had the first big RBL opportunity in the third minute, running free towards VfL keeper Andreas Luthe, but he made a strong save. A few minutes later, however, with the hosts taking the lead through Maximilian Wittek with a free kick from distance (7th).
But Leipzig responded, and Xavi thought he had scored the equalizer just a few minutes later. Unfortunately, he was just offside when Benjamin Sesko passed the ball, so the goal was disallowed after a VAR check. But RBL started to grow into the game, and after half an hour, Dani Olmo curled the ball into the corner from a good 20 meters to make it 1-1.
In the second half, Bochum started on the attack, but RBL stood firm. At the hour mark, our team got a foothold in the game and took off. Lois Openda, who had just been brought on, shot into the far corner, before Bochum’s Ivan Ordets could only divert a Xavi cross into hiw own neet (68th, 71st). Yussuf Poulsen, also a substitute, scored Leipzig’s third goal in four minutes, turning a beautiful cross from Xavi on frame from close range, securing the win for RBL (72′).
How did the game go? Here you can find all the highlights
BUNDESLIGA | VFL BOCHUM 1-4 RB LEIPZIG
Starting Line-ups
BOC: Luthe – Ordets, K. Schlotterbeck, Bernardo, Loosli – Bero (72nd Kwarteng), Losilla (C), Stöger, Wittek, Asano (87th Pacienca) – Broschinski (72nd Hofmann)
RBL: Gulacsi – Henrichs (78. Simakan), Orban (C), Castello Jr., Raum – Seiwald, Haidara – Olmo (65. Elmas), Baumgartner (65. Poulsen), Xavi (88. Bitshiabu) – Sesko (65 .Openda)
BOC unused subs: Rölleke (gk) – Gamboa, Förster, Daschner, Passlack, Römling
RBL unused subs: Blaswich (gk), Zingerle (goal) – Lenz, Kampl
GOALS
1-0 Wittek (7th), 1-1 Olmo (30th), 1-2 Openda (68th), 1-3 Ordets (71st, OG), 1-4 Poulsen (72nd)
YELLOW CARDS
Broschinski (3), Loosli (1), Ordets (3) | Haidara (4), Simakan (7)
RED CARD
Kwarteng
OFFICIALS
Referee: Harm Osmers (Hannover)
Assistant: Robert Kempter (Stockach)
2nd Assistant: Dominik Schaal (Tübingen)
Fourth Official: Florian Lechner (Poel Island)
VAR: Benjamin Cortus (Röthenbach ad Pegnitz)
All you need to know about #BOCRBL
Post-match reactions
Facts and figures
3RD MINUTE: XAVI GOES ALONE
- What a great opportunity right at the start! Quick RBL counterattack on the right side of Bochum, which is completely open. Xavi is free, but Andreas Luthe makes a strong save.
7TH MINUTE: BOCHUM SCORE A FREE KICK
- The home team take the lead. Maximilian Wittek fires a free kick from around 25 meters directly towards goal and finds the back of the net.
14TH MINUTE: RBL GOAL DISALLOWED
- What a shame. RBL win the ball in midfield and Christoph Baumgartner passes the ball to Benjamin Sesko, who passes it on to Xavi . Our number 20 stays ice-cold and scores the supposed equaliser. Unfortunately, after a VAR review, he was just offside.
30TH MINUTE: OLMO INTO THE CORNER
- Dream goal! And this time it counts. Again it comes down the right-hand-side. Benjamin Sesko passes to Dani Olmo, who moves into the middle again. El Mago takes aim and directs his long-range shot into the corner.
41ST MINUTE: RBL TAKE CONTROL
- Our boys now have the Bochum counterattacks well under control. We have now taken command and are spending a lot of time in the opposition half.
51ST MINUTE: BERNARDO BLOCKS SESKO’S SHOT
- First good attack from RBL in the second half. Dani Olmo passes to Benjamin Sesko and our striker gets into the penalty area. VfL defender Bernardo blocks his shot for a corner.
65TH MINUTE: THREE-MAN CHANGE FOR RBL
- Lois Openda , Yussuf Poulsen and Eljif Elmas come on to switch up the attack. They replace Benjamin Sesko , Dani Olmo and Christoph Baumgartner.
68TH MINUTE: OPENDA SCORES!
- Three minutes on the pitch and Lois Openda gives us the lead. Xavi wins the ball in midfield and finds the Belgian in the box, whose left-footed lofted effort can’t be kept out. Our number 17 scores again!
71ST MINUTE: TWO IN TWO MINUTES!
- Oh, it’s working now. Another successful counter attack. Yussuf Poulsen passes it to Xavi, who looks for another pass, but Bochum’s Ivan Ordets slides the ball into his own net.
72ND MINUTE: POULSEN SLIDES IN
- What’s going on here? We had no action for ages and now we score for the third time in a few minutes. Yussuf Poulsen just has to ease Xavi’s pass into the empty goal.
86TH MINUTE: RED CARD FOR KWARTENG
- The home team will finish the game with ten men. Moritz Kwarteng fouls Lois Openda and is sent off.