RB Leipzig defeated 2-0 by Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Despite a number of chances, RB Leipzig were defeated 2-0 away to Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Bundesliga matchday 29.

Marco Rose’s side enjoyed the better start and ended the first half with almost 60% possession, but couldn’t take opportunities to go ahead through Timo Werner (6’) and Dominik Szoboszlai (31’). Instead, it was the home side who went into the break with the advantage after Adam Hlozek found the back of the net against the run of play (40’).

Christopher Nkunku replaced Kevin Kampl for the second half, with the the Red Bulls pushing for the equaliser. Werner and Willi Orbán saw efforts saved by the Leverkusen goalkeeper and Leipzig couldn’t find a way to get the ball over the line despite a number of efforts. With the game drawing to a close, the hosts hit on the break and Jeremie Frimpong was brought down by Szoboszlai in the penalty area, who was shown a second yellow card for the challenge (85’). Nadiem Amiri converted from the spot to give Leverkusen a 2-0 win and all three points.

Match informatio:

BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN:
Hrádecký – Hincapié (78′ Fosu-Mensah), Tah, Bakker, Kossounou, Andrich, Demirbay, Diaby (68′ Amiri), Adli (90’+1 Bellarabi), Hlozek (68′ Azmoun), Frimpong

Unused subs: Pentz, Mbamba, Sinkgraven, Azhil

RB LEIPZIG:
Blaswich – Orbán, Olmo, Haidara (81′ Forsberg), Werner (81′ Silva), Klostermann (72′ Laimer), Szoboszlai, Halstenberg (60′ Simakan), Gvardiol, Henrichs, Kampl (46′ Nkunku)

Unused subs: Nyland, Ba, Diallo, Poulsen

REFEREE:
Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheim)

GOALS:
1-0 Hlozek (40′), 2-0 Amiri (penalty, 86′)

ATTENDANCE:
30,000, BayArena

YELLOW CARDS:
Hincapié (8th), Andrich (8th) – Simakan (2nd), Haidara (5th), Laimer (7th)

RED CARDS:
Szoboszlai (85th)

First half highlights:

1ST MINUTE:

Underway in Leverkusen. Let’s go, RBL!

2ND MINUTE:

Gvardiol tries an effort from about 25 metres, but it’s just wide to the left of the goal.

6TH MINUTE:

Promising start here! Werner gets the ball in the area and shoots on the turn, but Hrádecký saves.

16TH MINUTE:

RBL are the more dominant team so far and have not allowed the home side to impose themselves going forward.

30TH MINUTE:

The Red Bulls are the side with more possession, with Leverkusen looking to break quickly on the counter.

31ST MINUTE:

Szoboszlai shoots from the edge of the area and Hrádecký saves.

32ND MINUTE:

Hincapié shoots from around 30 metres out and smashes it against the crossbar!

40TH MINUTE, GOAL FOR LEVERKUSEN:

Against the run of play, the home side are ahead. Diaby gets to the byline and crosses into the middle, where Hlozek finds the back of the net with a first-time finish.

HALF TIME:

RBL may have been the more dangerous side, but they’re behind in the area that matters. Leverkusen take a 1-0 lead into the break.

First half in photos

Second half highlights:

46TH MINUTE:

We’re underway in the second half, with Christo Nkunku on for Kevin Kampl.

55TH MINUTE:

Szoboszlai looks to cross from the right, but his ball is defelcted into the arms of the goalkeeper.

62ND MINUTE:

A ball falls to Nkunku in the area after a corner, but his shot is deflected wide of the post.

66TH MINUTE:

Big chance for the equaliser! Simakan plays a good ball into the area for Werner. Hrádecký saves his shot and Christo almost turns home the rebound, but the Leverkusen defence manage to clear. Orbán’s header is then saved a few moments later.

71ST MINUTE:

Nkunku tries a free kick from the edge of the area, but it’s blocked by the wall.

73RD MINUTE:

Simakan plays a good ball in from the right and Nkunku’s shot is deflected for a corner. Getting closer!

77TH MINUTE:

Olmo shoots from long range but can’t trouble Hrádecký.

81ST MINUTE:

RBL are dominating the play here with Leverkusen sitting back in front of their own goal.

83RD MINUTE:

Blaswich pulls off a good save with his foot after Leverkusen counter through Frimpong.

85TH MINUTE, RED FOR SZOBOSZLAI:

Szoboszlai brings down Frimpong in the penalty area after the hosts hit on the break again. He’s going for the ball but makes contact with Frimpong’s foot first and the referee awards a penalty. Szobo is shown a second yellow for the challenge.

86TH MINUTE, GOAL FOR LEVERKUSEN:

Amiri converts into the bottom left corner.

FULL TIME:

A 2-0 defeat in Leverkusen.