Loss of points cloud Leipzig’s anticipation of Timo Werner
RB Leipzig lost feathers at the start of the season. The cup winner only came to a draw in Stuttgart. VfB withstood the increasing pressure and could rely on their goalkeeper. Would Timo Werner have broken the spell? The Saxons are about to sign the attacker.
Timo Werner almost there, but not yet the first win: RB Leipzig suffered a setback at the start of the Bundesliga. The cup winners did not get more than 1: 1 (1: 1) in their opening game at VfB Stuttgart on Sunday and only presented themselves as a top team at times. The division of points clouded the anticipation of the expected return of Timo Werner, who is about to move to his former club. However, only a little. “Who wouldn’t be happy if they had Timo Werner in the team?!” asked Leipzig’s newcomer David Raum after the final whistle: “I know him from the national team. We get along very well. It would be one more friend and one more top player.”
His team took an early lead through Christopher Nkunku (8th minute). The Player of the Season seamlessly followed on from his 2021/22 performances as he recorded 35 goals in 34 games. Naouirou Ahamada (31′) scored the well-deserved equalizer for VfB, who had been playing well at the time. Stuttgart’s goalkeeper Florian Müller almost drove the Leipzig strikers to despair with eight strong saves.
Captured the balls and thus the point: Florian Müller presented himself in strong form
Source: AFP/THOMAS KIENZLE
18 shots on goal and 80 percent possession in the second half were not enough to score the second goal that was needed. 9:1 corner balls also spoke a clear language. “We had a lot of chances. Stuttgart felt like shooting on goal once, in the end it was 1-1. It feels like a defeat,” said national player Benjamin Henrichs
Leipzig coach Domenico Tedesco had to deal with the high number of goals conceded in preparation. It was five each in the friendly against Liverpool (0:5) and in the Supercup against FC Bayern Munich (3:5).
The coach reacted to the recent failures and relied, among other things, on David Raum, who had come from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Clearer Konrad Laimer had to pass. Tedesco explained that he had twisted his ankle in training the day before the duel. The Leipzig team, who had changed four positions, started enthusiastically and promptly rewarded themselves. After a laydown by Dani Olmo, Nkunku scored. Lukas Klostermann missed the chance of an even higher lead (13th).
Ahamada scores efficiently to equalize
VfB initially looked in vain for a remedy. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side, who only saved themselves in injury time on the last day of the season, only bit into the game after 15 minutes.
The nimble Silas Katompa Mvumpa went a little too impetuously against Willi Orban and then pushed the ball past the goal (18th). Ahamada did better. Assist provider Sasa Kalajdzic was, alongside goalkeeper Müller, the second change in terms of progressing through the DFB Cup as the Swabians struggled to a 1-0 win at third division club SG Dynamo Dresden.
Naouirou Ahamada (right) celebrates scoring with Tiago Tomas
Source: AFP/THOMAS KIENZLE
A push from Konstantinos Mavropanos almost turned the game around just before the break. However, the Greek central defender’s long-range shot hit the post.
Leipzig had more possession of the ball. However, there was a lack of creative ideas. A possible solution is apparently in the offing. The German national player Werner was not in the squad for his home club FC Chelsea. As the “Bild” reported immediately before the kick-off, the striker’s return action is imminent. “Fix is basically a deal to me when it’s signed. I can say: We have not signed any new players and have not signed anything anywhere,” said managing director Oliver Mintzlaff at “DAZN”.
On the siding in London: Timo Werner could not prevail at Chelsea
Source: dpa/Frank Augstein
In Stuttgart, RB had to do without Werner. The attacking game only became more purposeful after the change of sides after an hour. Müller saved a shot from Hugo Novoa (62′), and the keeper was also the winner against Nkunku three minutes later. The pressure from the guests increased steadily.
