Nkunku gives RB Leipzig 1-0 win over Hoffenheim

RB Leipzig picked up three important points on Bundesliga matchday 30 when they defeated TSG Hoffenheim 1-0 at the Red Bull Arena.

The foundations for the victory were laid in the first half, when a dominant performance was crowned by Christopher Nkunku’s goal. Nkunku and Konrad Laimer had efforts to open the scoring in the opening ten minutes, but the scores remained goalless a little longer. Timo Werner missed a chance in the 14th minute, but Marco Rose’s side were finally ahead when Nkunku found the bottom corner after a good pass from Emil Forsberg (28’).

At the other end, Hoffenheim had a good chance to level the game after Janis Blaswich’s save from a Christoph Baumgartner shot rebounded to Ihlas Bebou, but the forward hit the ball over the bar with an open goal in front of him (38’).

The visitors took a more attacking approach in the second half, but were unable to cause many problems for Blaswich, while leaving more room at the back for RBL counter attacks. André Silva hit the crossbar (74’), before Marcel Halstenberg saw his volley miss the far post by inches (78’). With the defence dealing with any problems at the other end, RB Leipzig were able to see out the victory and claim all three points.

Tabelle

Match information:

RB LEIPZIG:
Blaswich – Simakan (81′ Henrichs), Orbán (C), Forsberg (59′ Olmo), Werner, Klostermann, Nkunku (59′ Halstenberg), Raum (59′ Silva), Laimer, Gvardiol (59′ Diallo), Kampl

TSG HOFFENHEIM:
Baumann (C) – Kaderabek (69′ Skov), Ozan Kabak, Geiger (62′ Geiger), Bebou (81′ Dolberg), Dabbur, Angelino (46′ Nsoki), Baumgartner (62′ Prömel), Brooks, Akpoguma, Kramaric

REFEREE:
Tobias Stieler (Hamburg)

GOAL:
1-0 Nkunku (28′)

ATTENDANCE:
45,294, Red Bull Arena

YELLOW CARDS:
– / Rudy (3rd of season), Akpoguma (10th)

First half highlights:

1ST MINUTE:

The visitors get us underway at the Red Bull Arena. Let’s go, RBL!

2ND MINUTE:

Big chance for RBL! Kampl wins the ball in midfield and finds Nkunku in the area. Christo manages to work some space for himself and shoots, but Kabak manages to block.

7TH MINUTE:

Leipzig get in again, this time with a ball down the right to Timo. He squares the ball to Nkunku but he can’t make contact to turn it home. The offside flag goes up for the pass to Werner and the goal wouldn’t have counted anyway.

10TH MINUTE:

Laimer has an effort from outside the area and forces Baumann into a good save down to his right.

14TH MINUTE:

Timo capitalises on a poor pass from a TSG defender and gets into the area, but he puts his shot just over the bar.

26TH MINUTE:

Bebou with a first chance for the visitors but he puts his effort wide of the mark.

27TH MINUTE:

Another decent chance for Leipzig. Simakan drives forward into the Hoffenheim half before playing a great ball into space for Raum, who gets into the area but has his shot blocked after he cut back onto his left foot.

28TH MINUTE, GOOOAAALLL FOR RBL:

RBL take the lead! Laimer wins possession and Forsberg takes the ball forward before finding Christo, who keeps his composure 1-on-1 and finds the bottom corner!

32ND MINUTE:

Baumgartner has an effort – Hoffenheim’s first shot on target – but it’s no problem for Blaswich.

34TH MINUTE:

Timo looks to double the lead but his effort is deflected for a corner.

39TH MINUTE:

Big chance for the visitors. Kaderabek finds Baumgartner, who forces Blaswich into a save. The rebound falls to the feet of Bebou, but he puts it over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

45TH MINUTE:

RBL take a one-goal lead into the break after a dominant first half.

First half in photos

Second half highlights:

46TH MINUTE:

The second half is underway. Hoffenheim make a change: Stanley Nsoki replaces Angeliño.

52ND MINUTE:

Some good direct passing between Forsberg, Werner and Nkunku leads to a half chance for Laimer in a promising position but he can’t get the ball under control.

56TH MINUTE:

Hoffenheim are more aggressive than in the first half and are pressing a little higher.

59TH MINUTE:

Simakan shoots towards the near post but it’s into the side netting. Baumann probably had it covered.

59TH MINUTE:

Marco Rose makes four changes. Olmo, Silva, Halstenberg and Diallo come on for Nkunku, Forsberg, Gvardiol and Raum.

70TH MINUTE:

There is more space for RBL to attack, with the visitors increasingly offensive. Timo looks for Silva, but a defender is there to intervene.

74TH MINUTE:

Nearly the second! Olmo plays a good ball through for Silva, but he sees his shot crash against the crossbar and bounce over.

78TH MINUTE:

RBL threaten again. A cross from the right finds Halstenberg at the back post, who hits it first time, but it’s just wide of the far post!