Two penalties in playoff game
Forsberg keeps Leipzig’s European chances open
02/17/2022 10:56 p.m
After being eliminated from the Champions League, RB Leipzig has to face Real Sociedad San Sebastian in the Europa League playoffs. The Spaniards take the lead twice, Leipzig can equalize both times – and thus create a feasible starting position for the second leg.
Runner-up RB Leipzig prevented a false start in the Europa League thanks to Emil Forsberg’s strong nerves. The joker saved Domenico Tedesco’s team from a bankruptcy in the playoff first leg to qualify for the round of 16 with an ice-cold penalty kick (82nd) in a 2-2 (1-1) win against Real Sociedad San Sebastian. In the fight for a ticket to the next round, Leipzig still have all the options in the second leg in Spain on February 24th.
“It was important to score the second goal and not go into the second leg 2-1,” said Tedesco on the RTL microphone after the game, adding: “We want to win the game.” RB “didn’t start well,” said goal scorer Forsberg, but added: “I think we were the better team throughout the game.”
Previously, Leipzig’s defender Josko Gvardiol was responsible for a penalty with an unnecessary handball, which referee Cüneyt Cakir gave after video evidence. Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the point (64th). Robin Le Normand (8th) gave the guests an early lead, while Christopher Nkunku (30th) equalized in front of 21,113 spectators in the home arena. Last week, the Leipzig City Health Department allowed a capacity utilization of 50 percent for the game.
RB failed in the Champions League group stage under ex-coach Jesse Marsch, despite relegation to the Europa League, Tedesco emphasized before the game against San Sebastian: “It’s an international game, a competition that I think is very lucrative and is attractive.” While Leipzig are fourth in the Bundesliga and currently back on course for the premier class, according to Tedesco they want to “sell well” in the Europa League.
Ex-Leipzig causes penalty
However, this initially failed. Although Leipzig had more possession in the first few minutes, Le Normand used the first good opportunity for San Sebastian. The defender got a free shot after a cross from Diego Rico. The hosts, who had to do without defender Willi Orban with a cold, then repeatedly pushed San Sebastian deep into their half. However, RB did not get through against the compact Spaniards. Keeper Mathew Ryan easily parried Konrad Laimer’s shot (23′).
The Saxons’ offensive efforts were finally rewarded by Nkunku, who headed in Angelino’s cross. As a result, Leipzig continued to determine what was happening on the pitch. The Spaniards, who started on loan from RB Alexander Sörloth, now concentrated almost exclusively on defending.
Even after the break, Leipzig dominated the game, Nkunku (54th) failed to goalkeeper Ryan. The guests now tried to come more often in the direction of the opposing half. Gvardiol raised his hand to an opponent’s corner kick and was responsible for the subsequent penalty, which was awarded based on video evidence. But Leipzig didn’t give up and the jokers stabbed: After a foul on Dominik Szoboszlai, Forsberg safely converted the penalty to equalize.