In the rain of Belgrade
Leipzig storms into the CL round of 16 despite an own goal
November 7, 2023, 10:53 p.m
At Red Star Belgrade, away teams rarely get anything. Rasenballsport Leipzig not only triumphed in the Serbian capital, but also made it into the Champions League round of 16 early.
Cool head in the hell of Belgrade: Rasenballsport Leipzig impressively defied the heated atmosphere in the Marakana and made it into the round of 16 of the Champions League earlier than ever before. Coach Marco Rose’s team won 2-1 (1-0) against Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade, led by magic foot Xavi Simons, and secured their ticket to the knockout round for the fourth time in the past five years.
Belgrade: Glazer – Djiga, Dragovic, Rodic (85. Katai) – Mijailovic (46. Nedeljkovic), Ivanic (69. Olayinka), Hwang, Kanga, Lucic (78. Mijatovic) – Bukari, Krasso (46. Ndiaye); Trainer: Bakhar
Leipzig: Blaswich – Henrichs, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum – Schlager (84th Kampl), Haidara (83rd Seiwald) – Forsberg (70th Baumgartner), Xavi Simons (75th Carvalho) – Openda, Sesko (70th Klostermann); Trainer: rose
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)
Gates: 0:1 Xavi Simons (8th), 0:2 Openda (77th), 1:2 Henrichs (81st, own goal)
Viewers: 45,000
Yellow cards: Mijailovic, Krasso, Ivanic, Lucic, Olayinka – Simakan, Lukeba, Henrichs
Exceptional player Xavi (8th) scored a remarkable goal to give the Saxons an early lead, who in their young premier class history had always only qualified for the round of 16 on the last match day. Lois Openda (77th) increased, shortly afterwards Benjamin Henrichs scored an own goal (81st). With nine points from four games, RB, which got back on track after losing two competitive games in a row, is in second place in Group G behind defending champions Manchester City (12).
Rose, who had to do without the sick striker Timo Werner, had expected a “hot dance” in the Serbian capital – and the RB coach was right. The frenetic home fans whipped Red Star forward from the start in the constant rain, but RB appeared unimpressed. As in the 3-1 win in the first leg two weeks ago, the DFB Cup winners were immediately clearly superior in terms of play, pressed high – and were rewarded early. Xavi dribbled into the penalty area and shot the ball perfectly into the far corner.
Stadium shakes, but Leipzig holds its ground
As a result, the hosts got into the game better and went on the offensive more often. Due to a UEFA penalty, only 45,000 instead of 50,000 fans were allowed into the arena, but that didn’t dampen the mood – emotions sometimes boiled over. After a tussle with Openda, a Serbian supervisor received a red card (19th).
However, Leipzig remained clearly the better team, but the busy Openda and Benjamin Sesko often made the wrong decisions at the top. Openda shot from the edge of the penalty area just wide of the goal (41′) and then lost the ball alone in front of Belgrade keeper Omri Glazer (44′). A little later, Emil Forsberg missed the 2-0 from close range (45th) – the lawnball athletes were exploiting their chances in this phase.
The Serbs came out of the locker room full of energy and had more access, but lawn ball sports remained dangerous. Sesko hit the post from a distance and then missed miserably from close range (51′). The stadium shook, but Leipzig kept its focus. Openda failed due to the strong Glazer (53rd).
An open game developed in which Leipzig repeatedly had to overcome critical phases. The rain increased and many fouls interrupted the flow of the game. RB was waiting for a counterattack – as was the case at 2-0 when Openda finished from distance. Henrichs’ own goal ensured a heated final phase.