Bundesliga: Leipzig beat Stuttgart 2-1

In the Bundesliga title battle, RB Leipzig put Bayern Munich under pressure with a win at home to VfB Stuttgart.

With a 2-1 (1-0) win over VfB Stuttgart on Friday (27 January 2023), Leipzig moved just one point ahead of Bayern Munich. For VfB, the situation in the basement of the table is still fraught and, in the worst case, could threaten the 17th place at the end of the match day.

Szoboszlai ensured success for Leipzig with a free kick (25 minutes) and a shot from the edge of the penalty area (49), who are now unbeaten in 16 consecutive official matches. VfB’s lead was shortened by Chris Vohrich (68, penalty), who also failed to win in the third game under coach Bruno Labbadia.

Leipzig’s Szoboszli scored the opening goal

The guests immediately played gamely, despite five regular players being injured or suspended in the past few days, and Labbadia had to completely reorganize their three-man attacking line. While the RB could barely get past the ball with possession at first, Stuttgart stood still and waited for a counter-attack.

Captain Wataru Endo intercepted a sloppy pass from RB Willi Orban to Xaver Schlager and immediately dispatched starting XI player Thomas Castanaras (9). From the edge of the penalty area, the 20-year-old fizzled past Leipzig’s Janis Blaswich.

Leipzig only became more convincing halfway through the first half and took the lead through a mistake by a goalkeeper from Stuttgart. Szoboszli’s free kick from 32 meters was not very dangerous, but VfB goalkeeper Florian Müller passed wide (25). A little later, Silva (32nd place) – again after the space wing – headed to the left outside center.

Szoboszlai scores again, Stuttgart only with connection

After the break, Nicholas Narty of Stuttgart (46) appeared free in front of Leipzig goalkeeper Plaswich, but he shot wide of the goal. Silva then headed an attempted clearance from VFP professional Joscha Vajnoman to Zuboszlai, who pulled the ball out of the air and slammed it into the net (49′).

Stuttgart came back in the 68th minute: Jusko Gvardiol’s handball led to a penalty kick after referee Felix Zoer kicked it on the screen, which Chris Vohrich (68′) converted. Then Stuttgart pushed for an equaliser, but Leipzig advanced as time went on.

Leipzig coach Marco Rose said: “Stuttgart made life very difficult for us, they threw everything and made the space tight. Overall, I think it’s a deserved win for us.”

Visiting coach Bruno Labbadia criticized his team’s lack of competence, saying, “We deserved a point today. We ran more, did more sprints, distributed chances. But we can’t buy anything from that.”

Leipzig and Stuttgart first in the DFB Cup

Before the league continues, Stuttgart has a challenge in Paderborn (Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 6pm). A day later, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (6 p.m.) was received by Leipzig.

On the 19th day of the Bundesliga, RB Leipzig is a guest in Cologne (Saturday, February 4 at 3:30 pm). Stuttgart meet Werder Bremen one day later (3.30pm).

Those: sportschau.de