Magic Gruda lights up Leipzig as European response sealed
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After a disappointing Champions League defeat to Como last time out, RB Leipzig welcomed Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven to Saxony.
With the Red Bulls starting well, PSV goalkeeper Matej Kovar was called into action within the opening four minutes, making a sharp save to deny Ridle Baku after the Leipzig defender unleashed a fierce early effort.
The game’s first major talking point arrived in the 17th minute, when referee Nick Walsh was called to the pitchside monitor to review a handball appeal against Baku, after a lofted cross towards the back post targeted Ruben van Bommel, and flew over both players before striking Baku's arm on the way down.
After a brief review, Walsh pointed to the spot, awarding PSV a penalty and handing the visitors a golden opportunity to seize the initiative.
Former Bundesliga winger Ivan Perisic stepped up, but his penalty down the middle was brilliantly saved by Maarten Vandevoordt, after the Leipzig goalkeeper initially dived to his left but reacted superbly to deflect the ball over the bar with his foot, keeping the scores level.
Leipzig struggled to regain their rhythm after the penalty drama, but Antonio Nusa offered a spark in the 24th minute.
Looking to carry his strong recent form into Europe, the Norwegian winger spun away from his marker and surged forward, unleashing a shot that whistled wide of the post - an encouraging sign for the hosts after a subdued spell.
Just before half-time, Brajan Gruda produced Leipzig’s most eye-catching moment, beating his marker with a slick nutmeg before reaching the byline.
His subsequent cut-back found Neil El Aynaoui, but the midfielder blazed over as Leipzig pressed for a breakthrough.
The early stages of the second half mirrored the first, with both sides battling for control and clear chances at a premium.
Chances remained scarce until the 61st minute, when Leipzig threatened through Gruda’s powerful strike, forcing Kovar into a strong save before the Czech keeper then reacted quickly to deny Willi Orban on the rebound.
Gruda, Leipzig’s liveliest player all evening, finally broke the deadlock for the hosts.
In the 75th minute, the winger collected the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a superb left-footed strike, leaving Kovar with no chance and marking his first-ever Champions League goal.
With the encounter livening up, PSV thought they had found an equaliser through Armando Obispo in the 82nd minute after the defender headed in from close range, but the offside flag and a subsequent VAR check ruled him offside.
The Dutch visitors would enjoy a much stronger spell in the closing stages, but struggled to create anything of note as they chased a result.
Putting three points on the board in Europe since January 2025, Martin Demichelis' Leipzig recovered from their opening round defeat to send PSV home empty-handed.
