RBL defeat Hoffenheim 3-1 for first league away win

RB Leipzig picked up their first away league win of the season on matchday 13 with a 3-1 victory over TSG Hoffenheim. Christopher Nkunku scored a brace (18’, 57’) and Dani Olmo opened his tally for the league season (69’). Georginio Rutter had equalised for the home side in the 49th minutes.

RB Leipzig had 65% of the ball and several chances in the first half. Nkunku scored the only goal of the half with a direct free kick in the 17th minute. Eight minutes later, Janis Blaswich pulled off a great save to prevent Rutter from levelling the scores. Dani Olmo scored to double the lead after come good combination play between Nkunku and Diallo, but the goal was ruled out due to an offside call on Nkunku. At the other end, Andrej Kramarić put a free kick over the bar just before half time (40th).

The home side enjoyed the best possible start to the second half when Angeliño crossed to the back post and Georginio Rutter headed in from close range to equalise (49’). Just eight minutes later, RBL had regained the lead when a rebound fell to Nkunku in the area. Our number 18 chested the ball before volleying home for his Bundesliga goal this calendar year – a current best for the league’s best and an all time RBL club record. As Hoffenheim pushed further forward in search of another equaliser, Leipzig picked them off again. After winning the ball in their own area, Rose’s side countered quickly with few passes and the ball landed with Olmo via Dominik Szoboszlai. The Spanish international, making his return to the starting XI, drove forward before shooting into the top corner from the edge of the area (69’).

The win sees RBL’s unbeaten run stretch to eleven games across all competitions and takes their Bundesliga points tally to 22.

Match facts

TSG Hoffenheim:
Baumann (C) – Prömel (18′ Kramari´c), Bruun Larsen (Stiller), Geiger (80′ Asllani), Angeliño, Baumgartner, Vogt, Akpoguma (80′ Quaresma), Skov (67′ Kaderabek), Rutter, Nsoki

Unused subs: Pentke – Rudy, Becker, Quarshie

RB Leipzig:
Blaswich – Orbán (C), Olmo (75′ Kampl), Szoboszlai (88′ Novoa), Nkunku (88′ Poulsen), Silva (76′ Forsberg), Raum, Halstenberg (90’+3 Ba), Schlager, Gvardiol, Diallo

Unused subs: Nyland – Haidara

REFEREE:
Martin Petersen (Stuttgart)

GOALS:
1-0 Nkunku (18′) 2-1 Nkunku (57′), 3-1 Olmo (69′) – 1-1 Rutter (49′)

YELLOW CARDS:
Diallo (37′), Raum (83′) – Geiger (13′), Akpoguma (26′), Rutter (27′), Nsoki (29′)

ATTENDANCE:
23,127

First half photos

First half highlights

KICK OFF:

Hoffenheim get us underway. Leipzig are looking for their first away win in the Bundesliga this season.

1ST MINUTE:

Baumgartner shoots from the edge of the area but it’s no problem for Blaswich.

11TH MINUTE:

Olmo and Nkunku link up and get into the area, but goalkeeper Baumann punches the ball clear.

13TH MINUTE:

Geiger brings down Szoboszlai on the edge of the area in a dangerous position for Leipzig.

15TH MINUTE:

Play is paused as Prömel received treatment for an ankle injury. He has to be taken off the field on a stretcher.

17TH MINUTE: GOOOAAAL FOR LEIPZIG!

Another direct free kick goal for Christo! He hits it from the edge of the area over the wall and into the top left corner!

24TH MINUTE:

David Raum attacks down the left before cutting back to Dani Olmo, but his shot is saved by Baumann.

25TH MINUTE:

Blaswich makes a brilliant save to keep the lead intact. A Gvardiol back pass is picked up on by Rutter, and the Hoffenheim forward bears down on goal before shooting left-footed. Blaswich dives to his right and pushes round the post.

31ST MINUTE:

The ball’s in the net, but a VAR check rules it out! Diallo forward ball and Olmo lets it run through his legs to Christo, who, standing on the last defender, flicks it to his right with one tough to send Olmo through. He’s one-on-one and curves a shot into the top corner. It’s a fantastic move and a great goal, but Nkunku was just inches offside and it won’t stand.

40TH MINUTE:

Kramaric shoots over the bar from a free kick around 20 metres out.

43RD MINUTE:

Hoffenheim are applying a little more pressure towards the end of the half but Leipzig have stood firm so far.

45’+3 MINUTE:

Diallo plays a one-two and gets the ball back in the area and is brought down, before the ball falls to Halstenberg. He shoots first time but it’s inches over the bar.

HALF TIME:

A fiery half comes to the end. Leipzig have had 65% possession, the hosts have had four bookings, and Christo’s free kick is the only goal of the half!

RBL reach Champions League last 16

Round of 16 draw on Monday

Second half highlights

46TH MINUTE:

Both teams are unchanged after the break.

49TH MINUTE: GOAL FOR HOFFENHEIM

The home side equalise. Angeliño crosses from the left towards the back post, where Rutter heads across goal and into the net off the post.

57TH MINUTE: GOOOAALL FOR LEIPZIG!

Lead restored! Nkunku again! Olmo shoots from inside the area and Baumann saves. Silva gets the rebound and it’ blocked again, before the ball falls to Christo. He chests the ball and coolly volleys into the far side of the net. Nicely done!

63RD MINUTE:

Hoffenheim look to find an answer and attack more, but Skov puts an effort over the bar.

69TH MINUTE: GOOAAL FOR LEIPZIG!

Olmo on the counter! Leipzig win possession in their own area and attack quickly. The ball finds Szoboszlai, who gives it to Olmo on the left. He drives forward directly, gets to the edge of the area, spots a gap and powers it into the top left! 3-1!

78TH MINUTE:

Marco Rose’s side are happy to sit securely and look to counter the home side.

85TH MINUTE:

Hoffenheim substitute Asllani heads just over from close range from Angeliño’s cross.

87TH MINUTE:

RBL counter quickly again and the ball is with Szobo in the area, but Baumann gets down to save.

FULL TIME:

RBL record their first away win of the Bundesliga season! A deserved victory for Marco Rose’s side.