Werner fires RBL to 3-2 win over Augsburg

RB Leipzig picked up their second Bundesliga win in a row and made is three back-to-back victories as they defeated FC Augsburg 3-2 at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon. Three points sees Marco Rose’s side tighten their grip on a top for place and qualification for the Champions League.

Despite the visitors taking the lead early on, the first half belonged to Leipzig. Rose’s team almost scored the first goal of the game when Timo Werner found Dominik Szoboszlai in the area, but Tomas Koubek was able to save (3’). Two minutes later, Augsburg won the ball in midfield and Arne Maier fired into the roof of the net from close range after a cross from Iago (5’).

Leipzig found a quick response when Werner crossed to the front post for Kevin Kampl to slide into the back of the net and level the scores (10’). After providing an assist, Timo then got himself on the scoresheet twice in quick succession. After turning home Benjamin Henrichs’ cross (32’), he then hit a rocket into the roof of the net from outside the area (35’) and sent his side into the break with a two-goal advantage.

The second half was a less eventful affair, with Leipzig having few chances in the final third but able to nullify the Augsburg threat for long stretches. Christopher Nkunku made his return from injury when he replaced Dani Olmo in the 72nd minute. With the clock ticking down, Ruben Vargas pulled one back and made for an exciting end to the game when he found the back of the net (82’).

With FCA throwing everything forwards in the hope of a late equaliser, Nkunku almost marked his return with a goal after a brilliant solo counter attack, but his chip went over the bar (86’). Despite a tense end to the game, RBL held on for the victory and three more points.

Match information:

RB Leipzig:
Blaswich – Orbán (C), Olmo (73′ Nkunku), Haidara, Werner (85′ Silva), Klostermann, Szoboszlai (85′ Halstenberg), Raum (85′ Diallo), Gvardiol, Henrichs, Kampl (78′ Laimer)

Bench: Nyland – Nkunku, Silva, Halstenberg, Ba, Laimer, Diallo

FC Augsburg:
Koubek– Gumny (38′ Jensen), Pedersen, Gouweleeuw (C), Beljo (60′ Cardona), Maier (60′ Vargas), Rexhbeçaj, Uduokhai (78′ Veiga), Iago, Bauer, Engels (46′ Baumgartlinger)

Bench: Klein – Veiga, Baumgartlinger, Vargas, Caligiuri, Jensen, Mbuku, Colina, Cardona

REFEREE:
Marco Fritz (Korb)

GOALS:
0-1 Maier (5′), 1-1 Kampl (10′), 2-1 Werner (32′), 3-1 Werner (35′), 3-2 Vargas (82′).

ATTENDANCE:
46.058

YELLOW CARDS:
Raum (5th of season), Silva (3rd) | Uduokhai (1st), Iago (4th), Bauer (7th), Gouweleeuw (10th)

First half highlights:

1ST MINUTE:

Augsburg get us underway at the Red Bull Arena.

3RD MINUTE:

RBL are looking to take the initiative here, looking to attack from the off. Timo finds Szoboszlai in the area, but Koubek saves.

5TH MINUTE, GOAL FOR AUGSBURG:

Augsburg win the ball in midfield and Iago crosses into the area, where Maier fires in under the bar.

8TH MINUTE:

RBL look for the right response. Olmo crosses into the area and FCA clear for a corner.

10TH MINUTE, GOOAAAALL FOR RBL:

RBL with the answer! Timo beats Uduokhai down the right-hand side and crosses towards the front post, where Kampl finishes first time.

18TH MINUTE:

As expected, RBL have controlled the game so far with 70% of the possession.

25TH MINUTE:

Timo was lurking on the last man and was in space, but Kampl’s pass is intercepted well.

32ND MINUTE, GOOOAAAL FOR RBL:

RBL have the lead! Again, it’s down the right. Henrichs does well and puts a ball across to Werner, who finishes first time.

35TH MINUTE, GOOOOAAALL FOR RBL:

There’s three! Timo with his second goal in three minutes. He controls the ball on the edge of the penalty area with one touch and smashes it in from outside the area with his second.

40TH MINUTE:

With a comfortable lead, RBL are more patient in possession and continue to control the flow of the game.

45TH MINUTE:

After a disappointing start, RBL turned the game around thanks to a goal and two assists from Timo Werner and look comfortable at the break.

First half in photos

Second half highlights:

46TH MINUTE:

Back underway. RBL are unchanged.

51ST MINUTE:

Augsburg are enjoying more possession, with RBL looking to press in the centre and threaten on the counter.

58TH MINUTE:

Leipzig are controlling the slow of the game and nullifying the Augsburg threat.

59TH MINUTE:

Joško Gvardiol shoots from distance with a low effort, but Koubek makes no mistake.

65TH MINUTE:

Augsburg attack through substitute Cardona, but his shot misses the target.

68TH MINUTE:

FCA send a long ball behind the defensive line and Iago crosses, but it’s dealt with by the RBL defence.

73RD MINUTE:

Christo is back! He comes on for Dani Olmo.

82ND MINUTE, GOAL FOR AUGSBURG:

Vargas finds the back of the net for the visitors.

87TH MINUTE:

Augsburg are throwing everything at RBL now. Orban blocks a shot from Pedersen and then makes a great tackle on the forward, before Christo does brilliantly on a solo counter attack but misses the target with a chip.

90+4TH MINUTE:

Three points for RBL! After a tense final ten minutes, Marco Rose’s side hold on for the win.