RB Leipzig’s performances and, above all, results have fluctuated of late. In the Bundesliga, they now achieved their second clear success in a row in their clash with VfL Bochum – even if it took a long time this time and only the call-up of two jokers helped.
Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch must have been shaking his head for the first 45 minutes of Matchday 7 – as were all the fans of the Saxons. Why? Because the RB eleven (with Poulsen again playing up front in place of Silva), which had been brought on after the disappointing 2-1 loss to Club Brugge in the Champions League, basically did everything right, especially in the first few minutes. The pressure was high, the passing game fast – but there was a lack of precise finishing that could overcome the strong Riemann at times.
Thus, Gvardiol (2nd), Angelino (3rd), who was sent alone towards the goal, and Forsberg (8th), who also hit the crossbar (11th), missed top chances in the opening phase alone for the lead, which was of course absolutely deserved. On top of that, the home side had a penalty disallowed – and wrongly so: Bockhorn hit Poulsen with his outstretched leg (3rd), but after VAR analysis it was decided that the ball had been played. The Bochum player had indeed touched the ball, but he clearly took too much risk and accepted an injury. Consequently, the penalty should have been awarded (6th).
Despite chances en masse it is 0:0 at the break
Bochum coach Thomas Reis, who had strengthened the defensive midfield with Tesche and brought on Asano instead of Polter, could at least note a much better body language and a few reliefs. But that did not change the dominance of Leipzig, only Poulsen (15th and 28th) and the too stubborn Nkunku (29th) missed the 1:0. On the other side Losilla (36th) showed himself in terms of finishing.
Flash starter Silva and double-pointer Nkunku
The second 45 minutes, meanwhile, started completely different from the first: Bochum did not allow themselves to be surprised or overrun, but rather held their own and kept the game open. A first away point was not entirely out of the question here.
But then RBL coach Marsch made the right decision and brought on Silva and Szoboszlai in the 69th minute. And the two jokers stung within just one minute: After Szoboszlai’s corner, the unmarked Silva nodded straight in for 1:0 (70th). The Portuguese also set up the 2:0 shortly afterwards, which Nkunku scored with a fine lob (73rd). The same Nkunku made it 3:0 with a double at the end, also completed with a lob (78th).
This was Leipzig’s second Bundesliga win in a row after the recent 6-0 win over Hertha BSC. The next match for the Saxons will be at Freiburg (Saturday, 16 October, 3.30 pm) after the international break. Bochum, who are still without an away point, will then travel to Fürth at the same time for a duel between the 17th and 18th-placed teams in the Bundesliga.