RB Leipzig has consolidated its place in the Champions League with a happy 1-0 (0-0) win at VfL Bochum. Joker Christopher Nkunku scored the goal.
Coach Domenico Tedesco jumped in the air, his ice-cold joker Christopher Nkunku accepted the congratulations of his colleagues with a smile. After the happy 1-0 (0-0) at home-strong promoted VfL Bochum, there was joy and relief at RB Leipzig. Nkunku’s late winning goal (82nd) consolidated the Champions League place, previously the Saxons had a lot of dizziness when Bochum hit the crossbar and the post.
“Bochum was an unpleasant opponent. Many teams didn’t win here. It was a close game. In the end we showed quality,” said RB striker Yussuf Poulsen DAZN: “It wasn’t our best game. But you have to win first.” Under Tedesco, RB has only lost two of 13 competitive games so far.
Promoted Bochum also lost the seventh duel against Leipzig and suffered a setback in the fight for relegation with the third home defeat of the season. However, the lead over a relegation zone is still ten points. “It’s tough when you concede 0-1 so late. We have to be focused all the time. Leipzig doesn’t need much to score a goal,” said VfL captain Anthony Losilla.
Compared to the 3-1 win in San Sebastian in the European Cup, Tedesco rotated through: The 36-year-old changed the starting XI to seven positions. Reis also changed four players compared to the 1-1 draw at VfB Stuttgart a week ago.
Bochum vs. Leipzig: Bochum misses opportunities to lead
Tedesco and his team arrived at Castroper Straße a little late: After an accident with the team bus, the players took several large taxis to the stadium, accompanied by the police. Nevertheless, RB had little start-up difficulties in front of 10,000 spectators and initially determined the game. But the balls, which the guests conquered with high pressure, rarely reached the dangerous area in front of the Bochum goal.
Best Leipzig offensive action was a sharp cross from Angelino, which Dominik Szoboszlai missed, his header missed the target seconds later (22nd). Bochum defended hard and concentrated, but initially did little on the offensive before the break.
Tedesco took off his winter coat on the sidelines. The sun warmed more than his team’s game. After the change of sides, the coach saw much more offensive and courageous Bochumers, who had the best chances of the game to date through Elvis Rexhbecaj (54th) and Milos Pantovic (56th). Losilla hit the bar with a header (70′), substitute Christopher Antwi-Adjei hit the post (78′).
Leipzig was significantly more efficient. Nkunku coldly used his first opportunity to score the winning goal.
