In the Bundesliga, RB Leipzig defeated VfB Stuttgart. The decisive factor was the speed and agility of their attackers, although some unforced errors from VfB also played a part.
On Saturday, RB Leipzig won 3-1 (1-0). Leipzig took the lead with an own goal by Stuttgart’s Jeff Chabot (45th minute), caused by a cross from Yan Diomandé. The 18-year-old talent then scored his own goal (53rd minute). Substitute Tiago Tomás (65th minute) scored a consolation goal for Stuttgart. Romulo (90+1 minute) sealed the victory for Leipzig after a mistake by VfB goalkeeper Alexander Nübel.
With this victory, Leipzig consolidates second place: 22 points after nine matches set a new Bundesliga record for RB Leipzig. Stuttgart remains on 18 points and drops to third place, which is now held by Dortmund (20). “We were a bit more precise and effective in the decisive phases. I think it’s a well-deserved victory,” said Leipzig coach Ole Werner after the match.
Stuttgart initially stifled RB’s wingers. The opening minutes in Leipzig were frantic. RB Leipzig’s left-back, David Raum, had an early opportunity to put his team ahead on a counter-attack. However, he failed to pass the ball to his teammates in time, allowing VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper Nübel to deflect Raum’s shot in the 3rd minute. After this, the playing styles of both teams became more apparent. With RB Leipzig relying on their quick counter-attacks, Stuttgart dominated the first 30 minutes with ample possession. VfB Stuttgart dominated the midfield, winning 56% of their duels and frequently creating numerical advantages. The Swabians pressed with high intensity.
Forward Deniz Undav nearly scored with a header (10′). Shortly after, Maximilian Mittelstädt fired a long-range shot that RB Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi had to make a spectacular save (18′). For a while, Leipzig struggled to capitalize on their speed and dribbling ability on the wings.
Leipzig is increasingly unsettling VfB Stuttgart with their inconsistent play. After the half-hour mark, VfB Stuttgart’s dominance began to wane. Stuttgart often found themselves a step behind. RB Leipzig’s agile attackers took the lead, and Stuttgart goalkeeper Nübel was put to the test.
Antonio Nusa failed to beat Nübel on two occasions with curling shots (24′ and 32′). Nübel also had to intervene to stop a shot from Assan Ouédraogo (30th minute). Shortly after, Stuttgart were lucky when Romulo’s shot from close range went just wide of the post (34th minute).
And after a quick Leipzig combination in tight space, which Stuttgart again failed to capitalize on, Romulo’s shot went narrowly wide once more (41st minute). These were harbingers of what was to come: Leipzig’s first goal. However, it wasn’t an RB Leipzig player who scored, but Chabot, who put a cross from Leipzig’s Yan Diomandé into his own net.
The Ivorian had previously dribbled past two Stuttgart defenders down the wing. Ouédraogo (45+2 minute) and Nusa (45+3 minute) could have extended the lead. Agile attackers were like aces up their sleeve: Diomandé scored, and so did Tomas. Shortly after the restart, the dynamic Diomandé increased RB’s lead to 2-0.
With precise ball control, he penetrated the penalty area and exploited a gap to finish perfectly at the near post. VfB Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß brought on an agile attacker from the bench: Tomas replaced Chris Führich (58th minute). And the substitute more than lived up to expectations with his third touch of the ball.
Stuttgart defender Luca Jaquez unsettled the Leipzig defense with a magnificent through ball with the outside of his foot; Tomas got past Willi Orban, dribbled past goalkeeper Gulacsi, and scored. A glaring error by Nübel in stoppage time.
After this, Stuttgart regained the lead and created more chances. However, in the final minutes, Leipzig almost sealed the victory. Romulo rose above everyone to head a Raum free kick in midfield, but VfB goalkeeper Nübel made a spectacular save to clear the ball off the line (81′).
After that, there were no major developments, but Leipzig managed to score a third goal. The usually reliable Nübel made a serious mistake while dribbling, Romulo stole the ball and scored into an empty net. Leipzig at Hoffenheim, Stuttgart before their European debut. RB Leipzig will play away against Hoffenheim on Saturday (3:30 p.m.). Stuttgart will host Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Europa League on Thursday night (9:00 p.m.) before continuing their Bundesliga campaign with a home game against Augsburg on Sunday (5:30 p.m.).
