First match, first win! Die Roten Bullen booked their spot in the second round of the DFB-Pokal following a 3-1 win at VfL Osnabrück.
Marcel Sabitzer (7’) fired Julian Nagelsmann’s men in front early on, but VfL bounced back immediately after the restart through Etienne Amenyido (9’). The game soon settled down and RB assumed a dominant role, knocking the steam out of Osnabrück with a quickfire double from Lukas Klostermann (29’) and Marcel Sabitzer (31’) to take a deserved 3-1 lead in at the break.
The hosts pulled one back late in the second half from the penalty spot (74’), but Leipzig held on to progress to the second round.
Match highlights:
15th minute: A manic game so far, played at a high tempo. We're keeping the ball moving and linking up well in front of goal, but Osnabrück are defending well.
28th minute: Timo Werner cuts inside from the left and fires a low shot goalwards, but is blocked by a sliding challenge.
42th minute: Huge save from Yvon Mvogo, who stops Anas Ouahim's strike at the last minute with his left boot.
Half time: The team take a deserved 3-1 lead into the break. A controlled performance from RBL after a hectic opening 15 minutes.
53rd minute: Two captains go toe-to-toe! Willi Orban makes a well-timed challenge tackle in the box to deny VfL skipper Marc Heider from cutting the lead.
56th minute: Another stunning block from the skipper! Once again, it’s Heider who finds himself 1-on-one with Mvogo, but Orban sprints back to make a stunning last-ditch tackle.
64th minute: Big chance for Werner! A cross comes in from the right to our Germany international, who attempts to curl it round the VfL keeper, who pulled off a great save.
74th minute: Osnabrück pull one back from the penalty spot after a Klostermann hand ball. Marcos Álvarez converts for the hosts.
Full time:
The final whistle blows after four minutes of injury time and we’re into the second round of the DFB-Pokal!
