- Leipzig delivers exceedingly well in the crucial matchup
Lois Openda grinningly captured a victory snap on the field, now vulnerable Bayer Leverkusen's, as Xavi Simons yearned to embrace the entire universe. Following the thrilling 3:2 victory over title holders and cup champions, RB Leipzig's midfielder expressed, "This transcends three points." He boasted, "I'm so proud of the squad, but we can't afford to relax now. Let's continue pushing."
Now, 'Invincible Conquerors' would be a suitable slogan to sport on t-shirts in Leipzig, since they left a lasting impact on the double champions in 35 Bundesliga games. Openda could revel in being the match-winner with his two goals, but such accolades would detract from the overall team performance.
Kampl commends the team's drive
Surprisingly, coach Marco Rose opted for a three-man defense, with 19-year-old El Chadaille Bitshiabu as the central defender, when the opposition had possession. Initially, this strategy didn't succeed, with the opponents leading 2:0. "We narrowly escaped some tricky situations," humbly admitted Rouven Schröder. "But we knew we could strike back – that kept us going."
Kevin Kampl's late first-half goal served as the turning point for Leipzig, boosting their morale. "We established faith that we could recover from the 0:2 deficit. That it came to fruition is a testament to our vigor," acknowledged the goalscorer. "We knew it would be nearly impossible to win here, as Leverkusen plays an exceptional style of football."
"Exceptional talent"
Leverkusen displayed exceptional talents in squandering opportunities, while the revamped Leipzig defense, missing the suspended captain, Willi Orban, grew more assured and skilled with each second. The victory was abundantly worth more than three points: outpacing the defensive leader, coping with an overwhelming rival, clawing back from a 0:2 deficit, and suffering a dismissal for Marco Rose during the first half – and yet still emerging triumphant.
The team will derive strength from this hard-fought win in the forthcoming weeks. This year, they are undisputed leaders of the table, garnering six points from the opening two games, rather than chasing after their targets. "This instills a positive feeling, especially for the many new and young players. It's an indication: we must trust ourselves, as we possess exceptional talent," shared Schröder.
Rose calls for improvement
Not only talent, but a considerable maturity was displayed via the measured defense in the final phase. Regrettably, this composure had previously eluded the 47-year-old coach. Displaying a yellow card following a mild foul on Openda, Rose continued to protest, but his agitation didn't stop there. Now, Rose will be forced to watch the next game against Union Berlin (14th of September) from the sidelines.
"Some might label him 'unrepentant.' But I also stand up for his innocence," said Rose in ZDF. He didn't challenge the referee's decision, however, and expressed a commitment to improve – an aim he's affirmed before. Previously, after four yellow cards in Heidenheim, Rose was subject to a suspension. He'll need to walk his talk now.
In light of their impressive performance, some German fans might consider creating t-shirts with the slogan 'Invincible Conquerors' to celebrate RB Leipzig's dominance over Bayer Leverkusen. Despite Openda's significant contribution with two goals, the team's coach, Marco Rose, emphasized the importance of collective effort and teamwork in their victory, reminding everyone that they represent Germany's leading Bundesliga team, currently sitting at the top of the table with six points from the opening two games.
