RB Leipzig defeats VfL Wolfsburg in Bundesliga thanks to Nkunku
MWith the ailing Timo Werner as a noble joker, RB Leipzig has secured its first win of the season and coach Domenico Tedesco quiet days. The cup winners defeated VfL Wolfsburg, who are still without a win in the Bundesliga, 2-0 (1-0) on Saturday. In front of 41,243 fans, Christopher Nkunku (5th/90th minute) scored both goals with a hand penalty and then after a pass from Werner.
In the winless summit, the pressure on the coaches was distributed differently. True, both Tedesco and brought Niko Kovac only two draws and one defeat in the first three games. But while Kovac is given time in Wolfsburg, Tedesco has to deliver for the big goal of the Champions League from the start.
Tedesco’s relief should have been enormous when referee Bastian Dankert put his hand to his ear after just three minutes. After a corner from Dani Olmo, Maxence Lacroix, once courted by RB, involuntarily cleared his hand. The Cologne video cellar checked – and Dankert decided on a penalty. Nkunku converted superbly, the third goal in the fourth game.
Wolfsburg too erratic and harmless
The cup winner finally got off to a good start in a game, and then largely avoided the lateral attachments that were often seen under Tedesco. Instead, it was for those suffering from an infection Werner playing André Silva (12th) dangerous with a header, Olmo hit the post and Maximilian Arnold (23rd) tested his goalkeeper Koen Casteels with a risky header return.
Wolfsburg tried very hard offensively, but was too agile and harmless in the last third. Max Kruse’s first appearance in the starting XI initially had no effect. The guests did not create a dangerous scene in the first half. Leipzig controlled, but was often too imprecise on the counterattack. In addition, national player Benjamin Henrichs was not particularly happy when he was substituted after 42 minutes. The defender had massive problems defensively, was already suffering from a yellow card – and let out his frustration with a full hit against the tunnel when going into the dressing room.
Kovac did not make any tactical changes, but his team still discovered the goal danger in them. Substitute Omar Marmoush (50th) forced Janis Blaswich to make the first save. And the representative of the injured Peter Gulacsi was then shot really warm in the RB goal. He fended off an attempt by Lukas Nmecha (58′) from five meters with a reflex as well as the deflected shot by Josip Brekalo (60′).
Tedesco didn’t want to let the game slip away and brought on Werner for the unlucky one after 64 minutes Silva. That should actually be good for the Leipzig counter-attack. However, Werner was not much more successful than his predecessor Silva. At his best chance, the attacker (78th) chased a volley well over the goal. Shortly before the end, Werner put a sharp ball in the middle, which somehow ended up at Nkunku and then just as happily in the Wolfsburg goal.
