Defeat in Leipzig

Match summary:

Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß made three changes following the 2-0 victory over 1. FSV Mainz in the DFB Cup second round on Wednesday, bringing Alexander Nübel, Josha Vagnoman and Chris Führich into the starting line-up. Fabian Bredlow and Badredine Bouanani dropped to the bench, while Lorenz Assignon missed out due to shoulder complaints. 

Chances at both ends

The match began at a frenetic pace, with neither side holding anything back. Leipzig’s David Raum broke through down the left-hand side as early as the third minute, only to be denied by Nübel, while Deniz Undav fired over at the other end just two minutes later. Maximilian Mittelstädt went close to opening the scoring with a 25-yard volley, but Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi kept it out with a superb save (18’)

Chabot own goal

Shortly before the interval Jeff Chabot scored an own goal when trying to clear a cross from the right, leaving VfB 1-0 down at half-time.

Tomas reduces the deficit

Leipzig were the better team immediately after the restart and doubled their lead through Yan Diomande in the 53^rd minute, but VfB pulled a goal back when substitute Tiago Tomás finished from Luca Jaquez’s exquisite pass (65’). Hoeneß’s side had to throw caution to the wind in search of an equaliser but suffered the knockout blow in stoppage time when José Rômulo made it 3-1 to Leipzig (90’+2). 

Goals:

45^th minute: So frustrating, and right on the stroke of half-time... Chabot tries to clear a teasing cross from Leipzig attacker Diomande at full stretch, but can only divert it into his own net. VfB go 1-0 down.  

53^rd minute: Diomande cuts inside from the right and drills a left-footed shot into the bottom corner, leaving Nübel no chance.  

65^th minute: Jaquez plays an extraordinary ball from the back right into the path of Tomás, who takes it around goalkeeper Gulacsi and gets VfB back in the game at 2-1.  

90+2^nd minute: Nübel, who has made some fantastic saves over the course of the match, makes a mistake when trying to pass out from the back, giving the ball away to Rômulo, who rolls in Leipzig’s decisive third goal.