The perfect start to 2024!
In our first game of the new year, RB Leipzig sealed a well-deserved 1-0 victory against Swiss side FC St. Gallen.
RBL got off to a fast start and had the ball in the back of the net after just three minutes. Xavi played a free-kick to Xaver Schlager, who fired the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to give us the lead. Both sides struggled to control the flow of the game after the early goal. Benjamin Sesko had the best chance, heading just over the bar in the 20th minute, as RBL headed into the break with a slender lead.
Things remained frantic in the second half. Christoph Baumgartner played a beautiful ball to Benjamin Henrichs and the right-back got a powerful shot off, but couldn’t extend our lead. There were no real chances to report for the rest of the game, as RBL were able to secure a 1-0 victory in their first game of 2024.
Friendly | RB Leipzig – FC St. Gallen
LINEUPS
RBL: Blaswich (46′ Gulacsi) – Raum (46′ Lenz | 70′ Köhler), Castello Jr. (46′ Bitshiabu), Klostermann, Henrichs (89′ Hennig) – Seiwald (83′ Osawe), Schlager (78′ Kampl) – Xavi, Baumgartner (67′ Jatta) – Sesko (67′ Eduardo), Openda (46′ Poulsen)
FCSG: Watkowiak – Stanic, Geubbels, Akolo, Karlen, Vallci, Toma, Okoroji, Witzig, Zanotti, Stevanovic
RBL unused subs: Zingerle (GK), Schlieck (GK)
FCSG unused subs: Dumrath (GK), Nuhu, Janitzek, Sutter, Schubert, Mambimbi, Möller, Schmidt, Krasniqi, Lymann, Konietzke, Parente, Bytyqi
Goal
1-0 Schlager (3′)
Team news
- Dani Olmo and new arrival Eljif Elmas were both rested for the match.
- Mohamed Simakan didn’t play, as he’s still recovering from illness.
- Timo Werner was not in the squad for today’s friendly, as he is in talks with another club.