RB Leipzig 2-0 Borussia Monchengladbach
A first-half double strike from Germany star Timo Werner gave Leipzig a priceless 2-0 victory over Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga match of the day.
The big Bundesliga 2018 news from Saturday was that Borussia Dortmund had beaten Freiburg to go seven points clear of Monchengladbach at the top of the league, and whether that weighed heavily on the Foals is a matter of speculation, but they never really looked on their game after going two goals behind.
That was disappointing for the visiting supporters who have some fine players in superb form, who just didn’t do the business on the day.
This was a big game for SBOBET football fans in the German league, as both these teams are in the Champions League places and are now only a point apart in second and third, so it was a heck of a win for the hosts in front of a passionate crowd at the Red Bull Arena.
Highlights of the game
It took just three minutes for the hosts to go ahead when Werner bagged his first goal. Marcel Sabitzer found the Germany striker with space to fire the ball low into the corner and send the home crowd wild.
Thorgan Hazard is in fine form for Monchengladbach and tipped to finish the league season as the Bundesliga top scorer; and he stretched his legs a minute later, almost getting on the end of a long ball from keeper Yann Sommer, but as he was about to seize the moment up went the offside flag.
Hazard then tried to create something for Florian Neuhaus, teeing him up just outside the penalty area, and his shot was well saved by Peter Gulacsi in the bottom corner. Alassane Plea has been an inspired signing for the Foals and his eight goals so far have gone a long way towards paying off the hefty 23M Euros it took to bring him to their club. And he was busy, laying a ball off for Denis Zakaria but his shot flew just past the top right corner.
The visitors continued to press and Hazard played a superb through ball which Lars Stindl reached, but his shot was saved. But as all the visitors’ first-half efforts came to nothing, Leipzig struck again and it was that man Werner again. On 44 minutes Yussuf Poulson found Werner and his shot was saved at the near post, but there was nothing Sommer could do a minute later as Poulson gave Werner another chance and this time he slammed the ball home to give Leipzig a flattering two-goal lead.
Monchengladbach needed a quick response in the second half as the game swung back and forth. But Leipzig had the first attempt on goal when the lively Sabitzer picked up a pass from Ibrahima Konate but his low shot towards the corner was smartly saved by Sommer.
Then as the visitors launched an attack, Plea again tried to inspire a fightback, passing to Florian Neuhaus, but his shot from a tight angle skidded narrowly wide. Sommer was called into action again saving a low effort from Sabitzer, and then Poulson linked up well with Werner, but his hat-trick attempt flew past the left-hand post.
Leipzig started to get a stranglehold on the game and the visitors created little in terms of chances as the match wore on, in fact, the hosts looked more likely to add to their lead. Konrad Laimer teed up Sabitzer but his left-footed shot was saved. And in injury time Sabizter put in Poulson who found space in the centre of the penalty area but his effort went narrowly wide.
Key Statistics
This was a huge win in terms of the Bundesliga league table lifting Leipzig to third and a point behind their visitors, while Borussia Dortmund has stretched their lead at the top to seven points. The Bundesliga 2018 betting markets are starting to see a real possibility of the title moving away from Munich.
It was an even first half with the visitors dominating possession, but Leipzig having more shots, seven to five, while each team had three shots on target.
The visitors still saw more of the ball in the second half but made few inroads while Leipzig threatened Sommer’s goal more, with 14 shots to seven and six to four on target, so by the final whistle I’d say the 2-0 scoreline was fair enough.
What’s next?
Leipzig has a chance to keep their good run going away to Freiburg, who were beaten by BVB yesterday and are in poor form, dropping to 13th place in the table
Monchengladbach is at home to Stuttgart, two places below Freiburg, and the Foals should get back to winning ways.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
