Defending champions Actual Madrid traveled to the Pink Bull Area Leipzig for his or her UEFA Champions League matchday 5 conflict in opposition to Group F rivals RB Leipzig on Tuesday evening (October 25).
Los Blancos solely wanted a degree 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 purpose for RB Leipzig, whereas Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo discovered the again of the online for Actual Madrid.
As has turn into the norm below Marco Rose, Leipzig began the sport filled with depth and need. 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 received 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 very good observe up. Three minutes after scoring the opener, Leipzig got here near doubling their benefit. Nkunku seared down the left channel and tried an bold shot, which, to his credit score, solely narrowly missed Courtois’ purpose and crashed in opposition to the sidenetting.
Within the 18th minute, Nkunku acquired the purpose he was in search of, 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 means of on purpose with a cross down the left flank. Leipzig stopper Janick Blaswich shortly got here off his line to slim 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 purpose 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 stored his effort on the right track n the seventieth minute.
Within the eightieth minute, goalscorer Vinicius Junior had the chance to equalize for his crew, however his effort, from shut vary, drifted vast of the mark. A minute after Vinicius’ miss, Werner doubled Leipzig’s lead, making use of the completion on the far submit.
In damage time, Rodrygo transformed a penalty for Actual Madrid, however it in the end 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 upset and two who shone of their defeat to Leipzig:
Underperformed: Eder Militao
Eder Militao, who has been one in every of Madrid’s most dependable gamers within the final couple of seasons, was markedly under his greatest on matchday 5. He fully misplaced Werner for Leipzig’s third purpose, was weak in duels, and his lengthy ball distribution additionally left loads 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’ usually unimagintive assault. He carried the ball effectively, labored onerous, and received and transformed a spot kick in stoppage time. He despatched Blaswich the flawed approach to discover the again of Leipzig’s internet, taking Madrid to a suitable 3-2 scoreline.
On Tuesday, Rodrygo made a key cross, accomplished two dribbles, received 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 in opposition to RB Leipzig; and it is secure 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.
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 effectively, held his floor in duels, and appeared snug whereas taking the ball ahead.
The French midfielder performed 68 correct passes (94.4% accuracy), tried a team-high 5 tackles, and received 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 greatest self on Tuesday. He didn’t put harmful crosses into the world and was inadept at preserving Leipzig’s assaults at bay as effectively. 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.