Test of patience passed! Die Roten Bullen overcame a stubborn Stuttgart side 1-0 on Saturday at the Red Bull Arena to move up to second in the Bundesliga table.
Stuttgart looked to settle down and sit back as expected, allowing Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side to take control of the game. It took something special to break the deadlock, as Sabitzer curled a left-foot shot into the top corner midway through the first half.
The visitors were more of a threat after the restart, with Takuma Asano shooting just past the post just before the hour, while Chadrac Akolos found Peter Gulásci in top form. Jean-Kevin Augustin had the best chance to seal the points in the last ten minutes, but was denied by Ron-Robert Zieler. It meant a tense final few moments and a lot of relief come the final whistle.
Two fantastic wins and a hard-earned victory cap off a perfect three-game week for the Bulls, and Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men can now look forward to a double-header at home in the cup and away in the league to FC Bayern.
Squad
- Ralph Hasenhüttl made five changes to his formation from Tuesday’s Champions League win over Porto: Ibrahima Konaté and Bernado returned to the back four, with Diego Demme slotting into midfield. Yussuf Poulsen and Timo Werner formed the new forward line.
- Marcel Sabitzer’s goal was his second of the season.
Statistics
RB Leipzig:
Gulácsi – Klostermann, Orban (C), Konaté , Bernardo – Demme, Keita (62‘ Kampl) – Forsberg (73‘ Laimer), Sabitzer – Werner (61‘ Augustin), Poulsen
VfB Stuttgart:
Zieler – Baumgartl, Badstuber, Pavard - Beck (75. Breaklo), Mangala, Ascacibar, Insúa - Asano (65’ Akolo), Aogo (9‘ Burnic) - Terodde (C)
Goals:
1-0 Sabitzer (23’)
Yellow cards:
Terodde (89‘)
Attendance: 42,558
Matchday 9, Bundesliga
1-0
21st Oct
Red Bull Arena