Defeat in Leipzig

VfB Stuttgart suffered a 5-1 defeat away to RB Leipzig on Bundesliga Matchday 2. Serhou Guirassy gave Sebastian Hoeneß’ side a 1-0 lead at the break, but the hosts replied after the interval through strikes from Benjamin Henrichs, Dani Olmo, Lois Openda, Kevin Kampl and Xavi Simons.

Impressive first half

VfB produced a brilliant performance in the first 45 minutes against a strong Leipzig side, combining defensive solidity with tactical flexibility. The visitors also managed to create a number of good chances, with Chris Führich (7’) and Guirassy (35’) going close before the latter pounced on a defensive mistake to put Stuttgart 1-0 up (35’).

Leipzig comeback

However, an error from Alexander Nübel early in the second period allowed Henrichs to equalise (51’), and Leipzig subsequently increased the tempo and pressure, causing the VfB rearguard to wobble. Olmo (63’), Openda (66’), Kampl (74’) and Simons (76’) added their names to the scoresheet to ultimately seal a deserved 5-1 win for the home side.

Goals

35th minute: Atakan Karazor intercepts a pass from David Raum and instantly passes to Guirassy, who buries a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

51st minute: Nübel is charged down by Henrichs, and his attempted clearance hits the Leipzig player’s foot and bounces into the net.

63rd minute: Olmo turns Waldemar Anton on the edge of the area and fires into the right-hand corner.

66th minute: The VfB back line can no longer contain Leipzig’s attacks – Openda makes it 3-1.

74th minute: Kampl’s shot deflects off Genki Haraguchi and loops into the net, leaving Nübel no chance.

76th minute: Nübel thwarts Simons’ initial effort but is powerless to prevent him scoring on the rebound.

Reaction

VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß: “We were really good in the first half and really bad in the second. The momentum Leipzig were able to create was incredible. They put us under pressure at the end of the first half but we didn’t allow them to create any chances. Then we conceded the equaliser after a couple of minutes in the second half, and that put the wind in their sails. We couldn’t stop Leipzig today. I’m taking away two things from this game: we were able to compete against and impose ourselves on a good team, and the second half showed that we still have things to learn. We’ll analyse it together and want to, and have to, learn from this.”