As so many times before this season, Christopher Nkunku was instrumental for RB Leipzig, as Domenico Tedesco’s troops ran out 3-0 winners over Hoffenheim.
RB Leipzig continued their impressive run of form with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Hoffenheim at Red Bull Arena on Sunday evening.
Christopher Nkunku opened the scoring with just five minutes on the clock, unleashing a shot into the bottom right corner.
After his recovery from a long-term injury, Marcel Halstenberg doubled the lead in the 20th minute, smashing the ball off the far post, making his first start for Leipzig this season.
Just before half-time, Nkunku teed up Dominik Szoboszlai to make it 3-0. The Frenchman is the only player to have reached double digits in goals and assists in the Bundesliga this season, having found the net 17 times and set up 12 goals.
With the win, Leipzig sits fourth, just one point below third-placed Bayer Leverkusen and three points clear of Freiburg in fifth place.
Hoffenheim, who are sixth, are now seven points behind Leipzig.
Starting Lineup:
RB Leipzig XI (3-4-2-1): P. Gulácsi;
M. Simakan, W. Orban, J. Gvardiol;
N. Mukiele, K. Laimer, K. Kampl, M. Halstenberg;
D. Szoboszlai, E. Forsberg, C. Nkunku.
Goals:
Goal! RB Leipzig 1, TSG Hoffenheim 0. Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai with a cross following a set piece situation. Goal awarded following VAR Review.
Goal! Leipzig 2, TSG Hoffenheim 0. Marcel Halstenberg (RB Leipzig) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Konrad Laimer.
Goal! Leipzig 3, TSG Hoffenheim 0. Dominik Szoboszlai’s (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Christopher Nkunku with a headed pass following a fast break.
Top Stats | ||
51% | Possessions | 49% |
1.56 | Expected goals (xG) | 0.18 |
11 | Total shots | 3 |
6 | Shots on target | 0 |
2 | Big chances | 0 |
1 | Big chances missed | 0 |
414 (80%) | Accurate passes | 394 (79%) |
11 | Fouls committed | 15 |
2 | Offsides | 5 |
2 | Corners | 1 |
So, what’s next for RB Leipzig and TSG Hoffenheim?
Red Bull will be travelling to Italy to face Atalanta in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League, and after that, they
will face Bayer Leverkusen in Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, TSG Hoffenheim will host Greuther Furth in Bundesliga on Sunday.
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