Werner and Orbán fire Leipzig past BVB into semifinals

RB Leipzig are DFB-Pokal semifinalists! Marco Rose’s side enjoyed a tense but deserved 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund.

Lining up with a back three and welcoming Dani Olmo back into the starting XI, the Red Bulls dominated the game from the start and could have scored a number of early goals, but for a string of impressive saves from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Timo Werner eventually gave RBL the deserved lead (22’) when he turned home a Mohamed Simakan square ball from close range. The strike was the only goal of the first half and therefore Rose’s side took a narrow yet deserved lead into the break.

The second half did not see as many chances as the opening 45, and despite the visitors looking to find a way back into the game, goalkeeper Janis Blaswich was left with little to do. Konrad Laimer was denied by Kobel in the 78th minute so the closing phases remained tense, but with Kobel up for a corner, Willi Orbán’s counterattack goal with almost the final kick of the game put the icing on the cake and rounded off a night to remember in Leipzig.

Match information:

RB LEIPZIG:
Blaswich – Simakan (78′ Klostermann), Orbán, Olmo (70′ Forsberg), Haidara, Werner (78′ Silva), Szoboszlai, Raum (87′ Halstenberg), Laimer (88′ Kampl), Gvardiol, Henrichs

Unused subs: Nyland, Ba, Clark

BORUSSIA DORTMUND:
Kobel – Özcan, Reus (76′ Bynoe-Gittens), Guerreiro, Hummels (85′ Modeste), Wolf (46′ Moukoko), Brandt (63′ Bellingham), Malen, Can, Süle, Ryerson

Unused subs: Meyer, Reyna, Dahoud, Rothe, Coulibaly

REFEREE:
Dr. Felix Brych (Munich)

GOALS:
1-0 Werner (22′), 2-0 Orbán (90’+8)

ATTENDANCE:
47,069 | Red Bull Arena (sold out)

YELLOW CARDS:
Raum (2nd of competition), Szoboszlai (1st) – Ryerson (1st), Bellingham (1st), Malen (1st), Hummels (1st)

First half highlights:

KICK-OFF:

Underway at the Red Bull Arena. Let’s go, RBL!

3RD MINUTE:

Big early chance for RBL! Laimer and Olmo combine down the right and Laimer shoots from close range. Kobel is able to turn it round the post, before saving an effort from Henrichs from the following corner.

6TH MINUTE:

Olmo shoots from outside the area and Kobel fumbles it, but is able to get to the loose ball just ahead of Szoboszlai. A really good start from RBL.

12TH MINUTE:

Another big chance! Haidara finds Olmo, whose shot is a good one and Kobel gets just enough on it to turn it past the post for a corner.

15TH MINUTE:

It’s been all Leipzig so far! Dortmund haven’t been in the game at all, but we’re still level.

21ST MINUTE:

Ryerson tries an effort from outside the area but Blaswich can see it past his post.

22ND MINUTE, GOOOAAAL FOR RBL:

There it is! Simakan bursts into the area down the right and squares to Werner, who taps home with one touch.

27TH MINUTE:

The lead is well deserved. RBL have clearly been the better side and have not allowed the visitors anything at the other end.

33RD MINUTE:

RBL threaten again, this time Szoboszlai finding Gvardiol with a cross but his header is just wide of the far post.

34TH MINUTE:

Kobel is on hand again to deny Olmo, this time after a long shot.

39TH MINUTE:

A good counter-attacking chance goes unused as Werner’s ball, intended for Laimer, is a touch too heavy.

HALF TIME:

A very dominant half from RBL, but it’s only 1-0 at the interval. Hopefully more of the same in the second half.

First half in photos

Second half highlights:

46TH MINUTE:

The second half is underway. No changes for RBL, while BVB introduce Moukoko.

50TH MINUTE:

It looks like Dortmund have now switched to a back three.

58TH MINUTE:

Olmo drives forward and with no other options, shoots from around 30 metres but it’s narrowly off target. A good effort!

70TH MINUTE:

Dani Olmo goes off to massive applause after a fine performance. Emil Forsberg is on in his place.

75TH MINUTE:

A short pause in play as the floodlights turn off for a moment,, but we’re quickly back underway.

78TH MINUTE:

Almost 2-0! Laimer beats out Hummels and gets through on goal, but Kobel is there again.

82ND MINUTE:

Into the closing phases. RBL have not allowed Dortmund anything all game, but there’s still just the one goal in it.

83RD MINUTE:

A brilliant slide tackle from Gvardiol prevents Ryerson from breaking away on goal.

87TH MINUTE:

Laimer finds Henrichs and he shoots over. The decisive goal is missed, but we are still on course!

90TH MINUTE:

Blaswich pulls off a save to deny Malen and keep the lead intact!

90+7TH MINUTE:

Blaswich with a massive stop! After not having much to do all game, he is alert when he’s called upon and gets down to his left to deny an effort from Bynoe-Gittens.

90+8TH MINUTE, GOOOOAAALL FOR RB LEIPZIG:

YES! There’s the icing on the cake! Kobel goes up for a corner kick and RBL hit on the counter. Kampl drives forward and with the goalkeeper out of his goal, he squares to Orban who taps home.

FULL TIME:

A deserved win sees Leipzig through to the semifinals!