Champions League: Eberl sees Leipzig victory: Werner opens the gate to the round of 16
Champions League
Eberl sees Leipzig victory: Werner opens the gate to the round of 16
RB Leipzig clinched an important win in the away game at Celtic Glasgow. photo
© Jan Woitas/dpa
Actually, Max Eberl will not start his service as the new sports director of RB Leipzig until mid-December. Nevertheless, he stopped by at the game in Glasgow – and saw a late victory in the premier class.
Max Eberl was happy in the stands, Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg sneered on the pitch: During a spontaneous visit from the new head of sport at RB Leipzig, the two attacking stars ensured a late but enormously important Champions League victory.
Thanks to the 2-0 (0-0) win over the Scottish football champions, the cup winners once again have the best prospects of making it into the round of 16 of the Champions League. “It was a lot of fun, we’re happy with the win,” said Wernerwho was impressed by the atmosphere in Celtic Park: “I’ve rarely experienced such a good atmosphere and euphoria.”
In front of 60,000 spectators in the “Paradise” stadium, including Celtic noble fan and rock icon Rod Stewart, stayed Leipzig offensively harmless for a long time before the previously unfortunate Werner per head (75th) and the substitute Forsberg (84th) were on the spot and silenced the euphoric home fans. After the 3-1 win in the first leg, the Saxons also won the second duel with Celtic.
Leipzig in the table now ahead of Shakhtar
In the battle for second place, everything now boils down to a decision between Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk. In the parallel game against Real Madrid, the Ukrainians conceded a 1-1 equalizer from German international Antonio Rüdiger in the fifth minute of injury time and fell behind RB in the table. “It will be a kind of final against Donetsk in Warsaw,” said Werner. “We have everything in our own hands.”
Eberl had traveled to Scotland at short notice and individually. The 49-year-old, who only officially started his service as the new managing director on December 15 Sports attends, watched a game of his new club live on site for the first time since his move was announced. The former manager of Borussia Mönchengladbach sat in the first row of the VIP stand right next to managing director Oliver Mintzlaff. Pictures of Eberl having a cigarette break in front of the team hotel had already been circulating on the Internet during the day.
Just one change compared to the first leg win
Compared to the 3-1 win in the first leg a week ago, Rose only made one change to the starting line-up: Instead of Kevin Kampl, Amadou Haidara played in central midfield. The storm trio was allowed in front again Andre SilvaWerner and Christopher Nkunku whirl – but the home side had their first chance in the first minute through a header from Daizen Maeda.
After that, Leipzig acted more concentrated, they let the ball run long and pleasantly in their own ranks – but it wasn’t dangerous for a long time. The Scottish champions defended skillfully and compactly, there were hardly any spaces for RB. And when Werner pushed into the penalty area with speed and space, the national player shot the shot far too hastily, allowing the cautious German central defender Moritz Jenz to clear for Glasgow (21′).
RB with double aluminum luck
It almost took revenge: In the 27th minute, only a double stroke of aluminum prevented the deficit when Matt O’Riley first hit the post and Greg Taylor then hit the crossbar. Celtic played more straightforward and purposeful than RB. It was significant that the guests’ best chance in the first half came in the 45th minute and only after a one-off action by Nkunku.
After the change of sides, a more open exchange of blows developed. Werner, Nkunku and Silva traveled a lot, so they often found themselves in dangerous areas. The reward was Werner making it 1-0 after a cross from Silva. Celtic pushed for the equalizer – but quickly conceded the 0:2.
