RB Leipzig 3-0 VFL Bochum: Substitues save Leipzig from a humiliating draw

RB Leipzig saved themselves from a disappointing result as they defeated VFL Bochum 3-0 at Red Bull Area.

Teams

Jesse Marsch decided to make two changes to the team that annihilated Hertha Berlin last weekend. Mohammed Simakan came into the defence replacing Willi Orban, while Tyler Adams replaced Nordi Mukiele in midfield.

Yussuf Poulsen stayed upfront with his consistent performances meaning that keeping summer signing André Silva again started on the Bench.

Swedish playmaker Emil Forsberg kept his place in the team alongside the very dangerous and very talented Frenchmen Christopher Nkunku who was on a magnificent scoring run.

Marsch also named a strong bench with Hungarian talent Dominik Sobozslai alongside teenage summer signings Ilaix Moriba and Brian Brobbery all of whom could make an impact on the game.

RB Leipzig: Gulacsi, Klostermann, Gvardiol, Simakan, Angelinio, Haidara, Kampl, Adams, Nukuku, Forsberg, Poulsen.

Thomas Reis decided to make two changes to the team that drew at VFB Stuttgart last week. Eduard Löwen was replaced by Robert Tesche which meant that Elvis Rexhbecaj started at number ten having been a holding midfielder last week.

The other change was upfront with Sebastian Polter being replaced with Takuma Asano.

Germany U21 international Armel Bella Kotchap continued at center back having impressed so far this season in the German top flight with dangerous wide players Gerrit Holtmann and Christopher Antwi-Adjei keeping their places.

Reis was also only able to name seven substitutes compared to Leipzig who named nine.

VFL Bochum: Riemann, Soares, Beela-Kotchap, Masovic, Bockhorn, Losilla, Tesche, Holtmann, Rexhecaj, Antwi-Adjei, Asano.

Story of the match

As expected RB Leipzig started the match quickly heaping the pressure on Bochum and won a very early free-kick. However, Gvardiol couldn't turn his header home following the delivery from Forsberg.

Then in the third minute their was early drama, Angelinio had a shot blocked off the line, before the referee gave a penalty for a foul on Poulsen. However, after a lengthy VAR check, the referee was told to overturn the decision.

The next big chance for Leipzig came in the 11th minute. Poulsen turned a Bochum defender on the halfway line before sliding a ball to Forsberg who beat two players, but his finesse shot just clipped the crossbar and went over.

Following a frantic opening 15 minutes, the match entered a quieter phase with neither team creating clear opportunities. Leipzig then went close again in the 27th minute, Angelino put a ball from the left hand side of the pitch to the back post where Poulsen was waiting however, his header went wide.

Leipzig then created the best chance of the match so far a minute later. After winning a free kick Leipzig decided to take it quickly and Nkunku found himself one on one against Riemann in the Bochum goal however he just shot the ball straight at him.

Bochum then created a half chance in the 36th minute, Rexhabecaj played the ball into Losilla who's right footed shot from outside the box went just wide of the Leipzig goal.

Following an entertaining first half both teams went into half time deadlocked.

The second half started off at a much more normal pace.

Both sides struggled to regain the form they showed in the first half with both teams giving away needless free kicks and not creating any sort of clear cut chances to take as the game approached the 60minute mark.

Finally in the 63rd minute there was a chance and it was created by Bochum. Bochum won a corner and Rexhbecaj put in a sumptuous cross however Losilla placed his header wide of the goal.

With Leipzig failing to create anything Marsch decided to ring the changes in the 69th minute when he brought on Silva and Szoboszlai.

The substitutions were a stroke of genius as Silva scored with his first touch of the ball after a brilliant delivery from Szoboszlai following a corner which Silva headed in from close range.

Leipzig then struck again in 73rd minute, this time it was Nkunku with goal. After some good work from Silva in Bochum’s final third he threaded a through ball to Nkunku who dispatched his shot into the bottom right hand corner.

Leipzig got their third and all three points in the 78th minute. Nkunku got his second of the match, as he slotted the ball again into the bottom right hand corner following a pass from Gvardiol.

Takeaways

Silva should start upfront for Leipzig

Marsch decided to start with Poulsen up front and leave Silva on the bench however when he was introduced he managed to get a goal and an assist.

Going forward Marsch should consider starting with both Poulsen and Silva upfront as together they could become a deadly duo.

Bochum need to find a way to score goals without Simon Zoller

It was yet another defeat for Bochum this season who failed to score any goals for the third consecutive match.

A large part has been down to the absence of top scorer Simon Zoller however until he returns from injury, Bochum will have to try and get players like Asano scoring goals or else they will be relegated.