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LEIPZIG GET THE WIN!

Ratul Ghosh
By Ratul Ghosh

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Leipzig played hosts to Borussia Dortmund as Die Roten Bullen aimed to move up the table. The away side, meanwhile, had another chance to close the gap to Bayern Munich.

It was a high intensity start from both sides, with Leipzig aiming to make inroads quickly. Nkunku had the first big chance of the match, cutting inside Hummels before firing his shot which was saved at point blank range by Kobel. The rebound fell to Szoboszlai who placed his shot across the face of the goal. Dortmund were struggling to assert themselves on the match, being pegged back in their own half.

 

 

The goal came just before the halfhour mark and it the man in red hot form. Gvardiol’s through ball caught the Dortmund defence napping as Nkunku ran past Hummels, took the ball around Kobel and slotted it into the empty net.  His fifth goal in the league and his 11th across all competitions.

 

 

The game settled down a bit, Bellingham’s shot from Reus’ cutback seemed to be heading on target but was blocked by Malen in a crowded penalty box. That was as good as it got for Marco Rose’s side, who needed to improve mightily after the break. Leipzig, meanwhile, were certainly the better side but had to be wary of letting the game not slip.

 

 

The second half was equally frenetic in its beginning with Leipzig on the front foot but it was Dortmund who leveled things up. Meunier’s run into the centre of the box and the subsequent through ball found Reus in behind the defence. The captain made no mistake bearing down on goal and thumping home his finish to move level as the club’s fourth all-time top goalscorers in the Bundesliga.

 

 

The home side were still getting forward well, Kobel producing a double save in quick succession to deny Nkunku from a corner and then keep away Szoboszlai’s shot from tight angle. The French attacker was causing all sorts of problems for Dortmund’s defence, his latest shot coming back off the post before deflecting off Kobel’s foot.

It was end-to-end stuff as the game entered the final 25 minutes, finely poised for either team to snatch all three points. And it was Poulsen who took his opportunity, sliding in and finishing off Nkunku’s cross at the far post, Kobel’s desperate attempts at keeping the ball out in vain.

 

 

Forsberg was the next to try his luck, Kobel clearing away his cutback from right in front of Silva. Mukiele had the ball in the net but it was chalked off for offside as Dortmund were being unable to get forward at all. The game kind of petered away as the final minutes approached, with Leipzig still being the one looking more likely to add to their tally.

 

 

The away side were unable to conjure something up, as Leipzig pick up the victory which they richly deserved.

Here are the three key takeaways from the match:

 

NKUNKU IS THE NAME

Leipzig’s star player this season without any doubt, Nkunku has been a menace to deal with for every team he has faced. With 10 goals and two assists already for the season, there is little doubt why Jesse Marsch uses him as the furthest man forward so regularly. Tonight as well, he was an absolute handful, constantly running in behind Hummels and Pongragic. Nkunku had the most shots on the pitch, along with his partner-in-crime Szoboszlai who was always backing him up.

 

 

The quick movement and intelligent play was all on display, especially during a super show of skill in the second half which led to a shot coming back off the post. Nkunku was also the provider for Poulsen’s goal, his delightful cross right across the face of goal the perfect supply for a striker to feast on. Leipzig will greatly depend on Nkunku if they are to move up the table quickly in the upcoming weeks.

 

INSIPID DORTMUND NEVER IN IT

It was an odd sort of the game for the Black & Yellow, as they all have been in recent times without Erling Haaland. After a bruising defeat against Ajax midweek, there were no signs of improvement here as well. The midfield was completely overrun by the high press and intensity of Leipzig with Bellingham and Witsel nullified as threats. The defence was slow and static whenever Nkunku or the other attackers got near them or the penalty area.

 

 

Reus’ goal was a clever piece of play, stemming from a smart run by him as Meunier found him perfectly. Though they did improve in the second half after a change in formation, it was just not to be. Dortmund were lucky lose just by one goal, as the chances they gave up certainly merited more goals could have been conceded.

 

BAYERN STAY CLEAR AT THE TOP

Leipzig moved up to fifth on the table, just a point behind Wolfsburg in fourth and the Champions League places. Dortmund’s despair in front of goal continued and with injuries to other key players have not helped. They remain four points behind Munich and two ahead of Freiburg in third, as Leipzig’s first win over their opponents in four years was a cause of joy for supporters of the Bavarians as well.

Ratul Ghosh
Ratul Ghosh
His name means Red and a fan of devilish food, which equals to his favourite team being Manchester United. Can be found sleeping or in front of the TV otherwise. Hates waking up early but loves staying up late for football.

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