They tricked their opponent and eliminated him. The longer the match between Leipzig and Real Madrid lasts, the better the Royal team will play. A beautiful move from Brahim Diaz gave the favorites a 1-0 lead heading into the return match at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Sebastian Szczytkowski
PAP/EPA / Philip Singer / Pictured: Brahim Diaz
After a 62-day break, fans can get excited about Champions League matches again. The knockout stage and home and away matches to qualify for the quarter-finals began on Tuesday. Real Madrid traveled to Leipzig, where they were beaten last season when they faced RB in their European Cup group. The hosts, even if they have not had a great season in the Bundesliga, aim to provide strong resistance to the Spanish league leader.
The stands filled with fans actually exploded with joy in the third minute when the ball entered the royal team's goal. The uproar did not last long, as Benjamin Cisco scored an offside goal. Andriy Lunin's mistake in the attacking line did not have any serious consequences for Real Madrid. It ended with a warning.
The match had an energetic start and proved that a return to the Champions League was worth the wait. In addition to two more shots from Benjamin Sisco, there was also a chance for Real Madrid after a cross from a corner kick. A cross from German Toni Kroos in the colors of the Spanish national team went to Eduardo Camavinga, who fired two shots.
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The pace was high until midway through the first half, but despite the smell of a goal, it remained 0-0. In the next part of the match it became slower but tense. Despite several sharp clashes, the referee did not decide to warn any player with a yellow card. Coach Marco Rose was nervous about this.
Before the end of the first half, a dispute broke out between Leipzig's coach and Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian also did not look comfortable as it was confirmed that his opponent would be difficult. The coaches had something to say to each other before they went into the locker room with their players.
After the break, we didn't have to wait long to score the goal. Real Madrid took a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute. Brahim Diaz performed an exciting individual effort. The midfielder looked after his opponent near the touchline before heading towards the penalty area past a passive group of RB Leipzig players. The attack ended with a wonderful shot from several meters past Peter Gulaxy. This action was the highlight of the entire show.
After changing the score, Leipzig's right-back side had to break through Real Madrid's carefully positioned defence. The favorite focused on counterattacks, and one of them in the 71st minute almost resulted in a second goal. Vinicius Junior deceived his opponent inside the penalty area and kicked the ball lightly towards the far corner. It ended with hitting the post.
The home team woke up in the last ten minutes of regular time and the smell of a draw was faint. Andriy Lunin rose to the challenge and stopped Xavi Simons' shot from outside the penalty area, as well as Benjamin Sisco's attempt from a distance of ten meters or so.
The return match is on March 6 in Madrid.
Leipzig – Real Madrid 0:1 (0:0)
0:1 – Brahim Diaz 49'
the difference:
Leipzig: Petr Gulaxy – Mehmet Simakan, Lukas Klostermann, Willi Orban, David Raum – Dani Olmo (75' Eljev Elmas), Benjamin Henriques (75' Amadou Haidara), Xavier Schlager (90' Kevin Campbell), Xavi Simons – Luis Obinda (75' ). Joseph Poulsen, Benjamin Sisko
TRUE: Andriy Lunin – Dani Carvajal, Nacho Fernandez, Aurelien Chouamini, Ferland Mendy – Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga, Brahim Diaz (84') Lucas Vazquez – Rodrigo Goes (84' Joselu), Vinicius Junior.
Yellow cards: Listen, Poulsen, Cisco (Leipzig) and Carvajal, Vinicius (Real)
Judge: Irfan Belito (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
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