A strong performance goes unrewarded!
RBL played courageously from the kick-off. An early header from Real attacker Vinicius Jr. sailed well over our goal (12′). Two shots from Lois Openda provided more danger, especially with his left-footed effort in the 16th minute that narrowly missed the Madrid goal.
Our team kept the Madrileños away from their own goal, and Willi Orban was there in time to stop Jude Bellingham (26th).Leipzig continued to break down the wings as Madrid stayed narrow. Shortly before the break we had two good opportunities. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin parried against Xavi, Lois Openda volleyed just wide (41′).
After the restart, the game became more and more intense. Dani Olmo‘s free kick struck the Madrid wall After an hour the matched really got going. Peter Gulacsi saved well against Rodrygo. But, Vinicius Jr. took a more accurate shot in the 65th minute, giving Madrid the lead. However, RBL responded immediately as Willi Orban headed in a cross from David Raum in the 68th minute.
Leipzig pushed hard and created several promising chances. A high ball from Dani Olmo landed on the crossbar in stoppage time. But it wasn’t enough, and on another night we would be talking about a historic RB Leipzig victory in Madrid!
How did the game go? You can find all the highlights and statistics here.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | REAL MADRID – RB LEIPZIG
Line ups:
RMA: Lunin – Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho (C), Mendy – Tchouameni, Kroos (77. Modric), Camavinga (46. Rodrygo) – Valverde, Bellingham (85. Joselu), Vinicius Jr.
RBL: Gulacsi – Henrichs, Orban (C), Castello Jr., Raum – Schlager (85th Elmas), Haidara (90th Kampl) – Olmo, Xavi – Sesko (85th Baumgartner), Openda (77th Poulsen)
RMA Unused Subs: Kepa (GK), Fran (GK) – Lucas Vasquez, Ceballos, Fran Carcia, Brahim Diaz, Arda Güler
RBL Unused Subs: Blaswich (GK), Zingerle (GK) – Lenz, Bitshiabu, Seiwald, Jatta
GOALS
1-0 Vinicius Jr. (65th), 1-1 Orban (68th)
YELLOW CARDS
Vinicius Jr. (2), Tchouameni (2), Kroos (1) | Schlager (2), Raum (2), Orban (1)
REFEREE
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)
Assistant: Filippo Meli (Italy)
2nd Assistant: Stefano Alassio (Italy)
Fourth Official: Marco di Bello (Italy)
Video Assistant: Massimiliano Irrati (Italy)
ATTENDANCE
76,000 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
5TH MINUTE: FIRST CORNER FOR RBL
- A really good start for our boys, who played courageously right from the start. David Raum has a lot of space on the left side, his cross is blocked for a corner.
12TH MINUTE: HEADER FROM VINICIUS JR.
- Real attack for the first time. A cross lands on Vinicius Jr.‘s head, but Willi Orban decisively disrupts the Brazilian. Preventing the threat to our goal.
16TH MINUTE: OPENDA NARROWLY MISSES
- Already the second good opportunity for Lois Openda. Long ball from Dani Olmo into the path of the Belgian, our number 17 unfortunately fires just past the Madrid post. Getting closer!
30TH MINUTE: GULACSI SAVES
- The home team have rarely threatened. Federico Valverde was released on the right side, but the deflected cross is an easy catch for Peter Gulacsi.
41ST MINUTE: XAVI AND OPENDA TAKE CONTROL
- Strong phase for RBL a few minutes before the break! We take on Madrid down the wings, David Raum finds Xavi and the Dutchman shoots. But Real’s goalkeeper Andriy Lunin parries.
Shortly afterwards we get another corner and the ball falls to Lois Openda. Our striker takes the ball on the half volley, from the edge of the penalty area, again narrowly over!
49TH MINUTE: STRONG FREE KICK POSITION FOR LEIPZIG
- RBL return to the pitch as they left it. Really strong. Xavi wins a free kick against Federico Valverde, but Dani Olmo‘s attempt from a good 20 meters hits the head of Toni Rüdiger in the wall.
54TH MINUTE: LUCKY VINICIUS JR.
- Vinicius Jr. violently knocks over our captain Willi Orban, but only receives a yellow card.
63RD MINUTE: RODRYGO TAKES A SHOT
- Rodrygo, who came on as a substitute at half-time, has Real’s best opportunity so far. The Brazilian is set up nicely by Daniel Carvajal, but Peter Gulacsi is there.
65TH MINUTE: VINICIUS JR. SCORES
- Vinicius Jr. of all people… Toni Kroos intercepts the ball and breaks quickly. Jude Bellingham finds Vinicius Jr. as he enters the penalty area, who finishes with an unstoppable shot.
67TH MINUTE: RÜDIGER AT THE LAST MOMENT
- RBL are not at all fazed by the deficit. Dani Olmo brings the ball into the penalty area, where Xavi shoots on goal. Toni Rüdiger gets the tip of his foot in front to block at the last second. That would probably have gone in…
68TH MINUTE: ORBAN HEADS IN
- GOAL! well deserved! David Raum fires a cross into the box and Willi Orban nails a well-placed header. 1-1!
82ND MINUTE: RBL KEEP PUSHING!
- The clock is ticking, but we continue to take control here. Our team keeps creating good attacking chances, the only thing missing is the goal. Of course, there is now room for Madrid to counter.
90+2. MINUTE: OLMO HITS THE CROSSBAR
- Nope, that can’t be true. After several headers in the Madrid penalty area, Dani Olmo tries a lob. Andriy Lunin is beaten, but the ball lands on the top of the crossbar.