Defending champions Actual Madrid traveled to the Purple Bull Enviornment Leipzig for his or her UEFA Champions League matchday 5 conflict towards Group F rivals RB Leipzig on Tuesday night time (October 25).
Los Blancos solely wanted some extent to progress into the final 16 as Group F winners. The hosts, nonetheless, had different concepts, with them inflicting a 3-2 defeat upon the Whites in entrance of their followers. Josko Gvardiol, Christopher Nkunku, and Timo Werner every scored a aim for RB Leipzig, whereas Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo discovered the again of the online for Actual Madrid.
As has change into the norm beneath Marco Rose, Leipzig began the sport filled with depth and want. It took them solely two minutes to string their first transfer collectively, with Emil Forsberg laying the ball off in a harmful space down the left flank. Los Merengues someway acquired to the top of the supply and cleared the hazard.
Within the thirteenth minute, Leipzig gained a nook and made full use of their physicality to punish the guests. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made an instinctive preliminary save, however had no reply for Gvardiol’s excellent observe up. Three minutes after scoring the opener, Leipzig got here near doubling their benefit. Nkunku seared down the left channel and tried an formidable shot, which, to his credit score, solely narrowly missed Courtois’ aim and crashed towards the sidenetting.
RB Leipzig hand Actual Madrid their first lack of the season 👀 https://t.co/ltuZrmUCBl
Within the 18th minute, Nkunku acquired the aim he was on the lookout for, with him dispatching a thunderous shot from contained in the field to go away Courtois lifeless within the water. It took 36 minutes for Actual Madrid to create their first actual opening of the match. Vinicius Junior performed Rodrygo by on aim with a cross down the left flank. Leipzig stopper Janick Blaswich rapidly got here off his line to slender the angle and block Rodrygo’s shot.
Simply earlier than the break, Madrid pulled one again, with Vinicius Junior making use of a headed end to Marco Asensio’s cross into the world. Regardless of getting a morale boosting aim proper earlier than half-time, Los Merengues couldn’t construct on it within the second 45. Leipzig continued to threaten the guests with their tempo, and will have been in entrance had Werner saved his effort on course n the seventieth minute.
Within the eightieth minute, goalscorer Vinicius Junior had the chance to equalize for his workforce, however his effort, from shut vary, drifted broad of the mark. A minute after Vinicius’ miss, Werner doubled Leipzig’s lead, making use of the final touch on the far submit.
In damage time, Rodrygo transformed a penalty for Actual Madrid, but it surely finally served as a comfort strike.
The defeat marked Actual Madrid’s first within the 2022-23 marketing campaign, ending their 16-game unbeaten run. Listed below are three Madrid gamers who disenchanted and two who shone of their defeat to Leipzig:
Underperformed: Eder Militao
Eder Militao, who has been one in all Madrid’s most dependable gamers within the final couple of seasons, was markedly beneath his finest on matchday 5. He utterly misplaced Werner for Leipzig’s third aim, was weak in duels, and his lengthy ball distribution additionally left so much to be desired.
The Brazilian misplaced 5 of seven duels, misplaced possession 12 instances, and misplaced a cross and two lengthy balls on Tuesday. He additionally dedicated a foul and was dribbled previous as soon as.
Carried out: Rodrygo
Regardless of his miss within the first half, Rodrygo was arguably the brightest member of Los Blancos’ typically unimagintive assault. He carried the ball properly, labored exhausting, and gained and transformed a spot kick in stoppage time. He despatched Blaswich the fallacious method to discover the again of Leipzig’s internet, taking Madrid to a suitable 3-2 scoreline.
No U21 participant has scored extra objectives in 2022 than Rodrygo. https://t.co/ifFkrmMNRj
On Tuesday, Rodrygo made a key cross, accomplished two dribbles, gained 4 floor duels, and delivered two correct lengthy balls. He additionally drew two fouls and accomplished 98% of his floor passes (49 correct passes).
Underperformed: Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger was deployed as a left-back towards RB Leipzig; and it is protected to say that the experiment was not profitable. He struggled to take care of the tempo of Leipzig’s assault and didn’t look assured sufficient to push additional up the pitch. With him failing to interrupt his shackles, it was more durable for Vinicius Junior to maintain the left flank cell.
Antonio Rudiger says Vinicius is sort of a little brother to him 🥺❤️ https://t.co/LcyLPyp00u
On Tuesday, Rudiger misplaced two lengthy balls, misplaced possession 5 instances, and made just one interception. He neither recorded a key cross nor tried a dribble.
Carried out: Aurelien Tchouameni
Aurelien Tchouameni was arguably the brightest Actual Madrid participant on the Leipzig pitch on Tuesday. He circulated the ball properly, held his floor in duels, and appeared comfy whereas taking the ball ahead.
Barcelona have been satisfied that Tchouameni would have been capable of exchange Busquets, however Madrid ended up signing him for an unlimited switch charge.— @sport https://t.co/TDVDoKuamy
The French midfielder performed 68 correct passes (94.4% accuracy), tried a team-high 5 tackles, and gained 9 of 14 duels. He additionally accomplished a dribble, carried out a clearance, and drew a foul.
Underperformed: Lucas Vazquez
Lucas Vazquez appeared a shadow of his finest self on Tuesday. He didn’t put harmful crosses into the world and was inadept at preserving Leipzig’s assaults at bay as properly. In consequence, lots of Leipzig’s assaults got here from their left flank.
In Germany, Vazquez misplaced two of 4 floor duels, misplaced all three of his tried crosses, and was dribbled previous as soon as. He additionally dedicated a foolish problem on Gvardiol early within the second half, which deservedly earned him a yellow card.
