Die Roten Bullen have taken their next step on the way to the group phase. Following the 3-1 win in the first leg, the second leg between Leipzig and Universitatea Craiova ended in a 1-1 draw, which was enough to see Rlaf Rangnick’s men progress into the Europa League Play-offs.

Mvogo shines / Sabitzer scores

The game got off to a quick start with several chances early on at both ends. Craiova’s keeper Mirko Pigliacelli was on-guard to keep out efforts from Matheus Cunha and Marcel Sabitzer in the 7th and 15th minutes respectively. At the other end of the pitch, Raoul Petre Baicu had the best chance to put Craiova ahead in the 9th minute, but Yvon Mvogo got the better of the attacker 1v1.

Just when the game had died down somewhat, we took the lead. After a training ground routine from a corner kick in the 39th minute involving Kevin Kampl, Diego Demme and Willi Orban, the ball landed at the feet of Marcel Sabitzer, who was unable to miss from just a few yards out.

Powerful first-time-shot from Jean-Kévin Augustin / Late goal conceded

Die Roten Bullen continued their dominance into the second half. Yussuf Poulsen was the first to have a shot in the box early on, before Craiova’s keeper fingertipped a powerful first-time-shot from Jean-Kévin Augustin over the bar moments later. The hosts grew into the game in the final quarter, Mvogo repeatedly showing his class, parrying away a host of efforts from Nicusur Bancu and Marius Briceag.

But our keeper couldn’t hold onto the clean sheet, when in the 85th minute Baicu’s cross from the left was unfortunately deflected off of Ibrahima Konaté, looping into the far corner.