18th matchday: Szoboszlai’s magic goals: RB Leipzig puts Bayern under pressure

Led by art shooter Dominik Szoboszlai, RB Leipzig has continued its winning streak and massively increased the pressure on leaders Bayern Munich.

The 2-1 (1-0) win over VfB Stuttgart, who had been weakened by replacements, temporarily moved the cup winners, who have been unbeaten in 16 games, to second place in the Bundesliga and to just one point behind Bayern. In front of 46,158 fans, Szoboszlai (25th minute/49th) provided the highlights in the sometimes turbulent game with his magic goals. Chris Führich (68th) reduced the penalty with a hand penalty.

“My goal was to help the team. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s with goals or assists,” said match winner Szoboszlai on DAZN and Benjamin Henrichs added with a view to the title race: “We’ll definitely continue. We haven’t lost for a long time, That speaks for us. When you’re up there, you want to stay there and keep attacking. You need results like today to do that.”

Stuttgart goalscorer Führich was disappointed “because we had our chances,” said the offensive player: “In view of our absences, we can be proud of ourselves. We’re on the right track, now we just have to get the points.” Waldemar Anton saw it similarly: “You go home sad and disappointed. There was more to it here.”

Match winner Szoboszlai

In fact, because RB was by no means as ultra-dominant as in the 6-1 win at Schalke. There were always sloppiness, but Leipzig had Szoboszlai. The Hungarian scored his second Bundesliga brace against his favorite opponent. The 22-year-old scored twice in the 4-0 win against VfB last season. The midfielder, who came from sister club RB Salzburg two years ago, is becoming more and more of a fixture.

The Stuttgart team did well in the early stages, even had more of the game and better chances, such as when Thomas Kastanaras shot. The regional league striker, who was in the starting eleven for the first time, tested Janis Blaswich with a long-range shot (9th).

The 20-year-old Kastanaras was one of five newcomers to the Stuttgart starting eleven compared to the Hoffenheim game. “I thought about whether it had already happened in my career that five of the starting eleven couldn’t do it three days later. I don’t think I experienced it. That’s a blow, no question,” said coach Bruno Labbadia, who started with two draws in the first two games since his return to VfB.

Stuttgart’s keeper fails

The staff-stricken Stuttgart did not present themselves as relegated. And yet the Leipzig gate was a gift. Goalkeeper Florian Müller did not look good when Szoboszlai scored a free kick from a good 30 meters out, the ball slipped over his hands.

After that, Leipzig had the game under control. RB created opportunities again and again on the left in the person of national player David Raum, who came on for Marcel Halstenberg. André Silva had three good chances to head the ball, one of which hit the outside of the post (32′).

The Swabians also got off to a better start in the second half when Nikolas Nartey put the ball just wide of the goal (46′) in front of Blaswich. Szoboszlai did better on the other side. After VfB defender Josha Vagnoman headed the ball straight to Silva when he was passed in, Szoboszlai staged the game, and his volley made what was supposed to be the preliminary decision. But the Croatian World Cup star Josko Gvardiol made it exciting again. After an unnecessary handball, Felix Zwayer decided to take a penalty after a long video study, which Führich used.

VfB coach Labbadia was upset with referee Felix Zwayer after the unfortunate 2-1 defeat. The background is the questionable free-kick whistle in front of the Leipzig opening goal, when Stuttgart’s Wataru Endo had actually fought for the ball against Dani Olmo. “You can’t get a better ball in counterpressing. I’ve never seen how you can whistle. It doesn’t get any better. I can’t think of much. (…) It’s shit,” Labbadia said on DAZN.