Chris Williams - Leipzig vs Dortmund produced yet another high-octane fixture, the visitors eventually claiming all three points with a well taken go
Chris Williams –
Leipzig vs Dortmund produced yet another high-octane fixture, the visitors eventually claiming all three points with a well taken goal from Belgium international, Axel Witsel.
However, Leipzig will rue a number of missed opportunities as they suffered their first ever defeat in an opening game of the Hinrunde.
RB Leipzig 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany
19 January, 2019 – 17:30 GMT, 18:30 CET
Goals: 0-1 (Axel Witsel, 19’)
Leipzig vs Dortmund – Roman Bürki – The Yellow Wall
Roman Bürki was key to Dortmund’s victory in Leipzig as the visitors won 1-0. (Photo: Karina Hessland-Wissel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
The Dortmund goalkeeper was the Futbolgrad Network man of the match for this fixture – and with good reason. His second half performance saw a number of key saves, ultimately keeping the scoreline in the favour of die Schwarzgelben.
The Swiss ‘keeper was rarely tested in the first half, but in the second he was called into action on a number of occasions. His reactionary saves denied Leipzig an equaliser five times, saving from close range to deny Marcel Sabitzer in the 73rd minute the highlight of his performance.
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On an evening that Dortmund had chances to put the game to bed, it was their rock at the back that allowed them to regain a six point lead at the top of the Bundesliga table.
His only mistake was quickly rectified as he got to his feet and regained possession, after initially racing out of the box to intercept the Leipzig front-line. It was a magnificent overall performance by the Dortmund number one.
However, Lucien Favre will want to work on not allowing their opponents that level of space again in or around the penalty area.
Leipzig vs Dortmund – No Marco Reus – No problem
Dortmund were without captain and talisman, Marco Reus. The forward was withdrawn from the starting XI at the last moment, although he was fit enough to make the bench.
After such a wonderful start to the season there was a worry around the Dortmund camp that in order to capture their first title in seven years, Reus would need to be a factor in almost all of their games.
In their first real test without him, Dortmund passed the challenge – just about. Maximilian Philipp was chosen ahead of Christian Pulisic and the ex-Freiburg star didn’t quite hit the same highs seen before his ACL injury last season.
Without Reus on the pitch, Dortmund needed someone to step up to the plate and affect the game in a similar way in which the 29-year-old is famous for – Axel Witsel duly obliged.
The Belgian controlled a flick on from Lukasz Piszczek wonderfully, his deft touch allowed the ball to drop dead for a right footed strike that left Péter Gulácsi a bystander in the Leipzig goal.
Leipzig vs Dortmund – Leipzig lack efficiency
Leipzig squandered a number of good opportunities to level the score during Leipzig vs Dortmund. (Photo: ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images)
The visitors didn’t have an easy afternoon, Leipzig created a number of excellent chances. Lukas Klostermann, Diego Demme and Timo Werner all set up opportunities for those around them – however, die Roten Bullen couldn’t find the right end product.
Leipzig created 12 chances in total, five were denied by man of the match Roman Bürki while another five were pulled high or wide – the Dortmund defence blocking the remaining two opportunities.
Out of those five on target, Marcel Sabitzer had perhaps the best chance to level the game – the Austrian was unable to steer his close-range shot past an advancing Bürki.
Even at the very end of the fixture, deep into added time Leipzig still managed one more clear cut opportunity. This time it was Matheus Cunha who could only find the wrong side of the Dortmund post.
Leipzig vs Dortmund – Lineups
RB Leipzig:
Formation: 4-2-2-2
Gulacsi – Halstenberg, Upamecano, Konaté, Klostermann – Demme (Matheus Cunha, 82′), Laimer (Augustin, 88′) – Kampl, Sabitzer – Werner, Poulsen
Coach: Ralf Rangnick
Borussia Dortmund:
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Bürki – Hakimi, Diallo, Weigl, Piszczek – Guerreiro (Pulisic, 76′), Delaney, Witsel, Sancho (Wolf, 89′) – Götze – Philipp (Alcácer, 79′)
Coach: Lucien Favre
Chris Williams is a freelance European football journalist. Covering the Bundesliga, Premier League and both of UEFA’s European club competitions. Published in both local and international publications, he also contributes to television and radio across the globe. A member of the UK’s Sports Journalist Association and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). Follow Chris Williams on Twitter @Chris78Williams
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