Led by marksman Dominik Szoboszlai, RB Leipzig have continued their winning streak and increased the pressure on leaders Bayern Munich. With the 2:1 (1:0) against the weakened VfB Stuttgart, the cup winner, who has now been unbeaten for 16 games, temporarily moves up to second place in the Bundesliga and is up to one point behind Bayern. In front of around 46,000 fans, Szoboszlai’s magic goals in the 25th and 49th minutes provided the highlights in what was at times a turbulent game. Stuttgart’s Chris Führich (68th) reduced the penalty with a hand penalty.
RB was by no means as dominant as it was a few days ago in the 6-1 win over Schalke. There were always sloppiness, but Leipzig had Szoboszlai. The Hungarian scored his second Bundesliga brace against his favorite opponent. The 22-year-old scored twice in the 4-0 win against VfB last season.
The midfielder, who came from RB Salzburg two years ago, is becoming more and more of a fixture. The Stuttgart team did well in the early stages, even had more of the game and better chances, such as when Thomas Kastanaras shot. The regional league striker, who was in the starting eleven for the first time, tested Janis Blaswich with a long-range shot (9th).
The 20-year-old Kastanaras was one of five newcomers to the Stuttgart starting eleven compared to the Hoffenheim game. “I wondered if it had already happened in my career that five of the starting XI couldn’t play three days later,” said coach Bruno Labbadia. “I don’t think I’ve experienced it. It’s a blow, no question.”
The staff-stricken Stuttgart did not present themselves as relegated. And yet the Leipzig gate was a gift. Goalkeeper Florian Müller did not look good when Szoboszlai scored a free kick from more than 30 meters, the ball slipped over his hands.
Stuttgart gets a penalty, but no longer equalizes
After that, Leipzig had the game under control. RB kept creating opportunities down the left, in the person of national player David Raum, who came on for Marcel Halstenberg. André Silva had three good chances to head the ball, one of them on the outside of the post (32′).
The Swabians also got off to a better start in the second half when Nikolas Nartey put the ball just wide of the goal (46′) in front of Blaswich. Szoboszlai did better on the other side. After VfB defender Josha Vagnoman headed the ball straight to Silva when he was passed in, Szoboszlai staged the game, and his volley made what was supposed to be the preliminary decision. But the Croatian World Cup star Josko Gvardiol made it exciting again. After an unnecessary handball, Felix Zwayer decided to take a penalty after a long video study, which Führich used.
In the closing stages, however, Stuttgart could no longer develop enough pressure to seriously endanger the Leipzig goal. On the other hand, the Saxons frivolously gambled away several counterattack chances.
