Leipzig descend further into disarray with loss to Shakhtar
This very well could be Domenico Tedesco’s last game coaching RB Leipzig, as they fell to Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in a devastating Champions League 4-1 home defeat.
Going into the first Champions League group stage match, manager Domenico Tedesco was under serious pressure to get a result with only one league win on the season. Major changes were made to the lineup as Andre Silva, Xaver Schlager and PSG newcomer Abdou Diallo received starting nods.
To kick things off, Timo Werner and Christopher Nkunku created several chances going forward for the more threatening Red Bull side. But in the 16th minute, captain Peter Gulacsi made an unthinkable error, giving Shakhtar an absolute gift.
Marian Shved rolled the ball into the empty net after Gulacsi’s failed pass gave the Ukrainian club an early 1-0 lead. While Leizpig dominated possession and created more opportunities, Shakhtar deserve a lot of credit for holding Die Roten Bullen at bay in the first half.
Dominik Szoboszlai nearly scored a free-kick to start the second period, as Tedesco substituted David Raum for Marcel Halstenberg. Leipzig finally found a hole in Shakhtar’s defense in the 58th minute when Mohamed Simakan slotted home Szoboszlai’s layoff to tie the game.
But only a few seconds later, Shakhtar flew down the pitch and took back their one goal advantage as if nothing had happened. Shved secured his brace in the 58th minute when his shot deflected off Willi Orban, leaving Gulacsi immobile in goal.
The play was set up by 21-year-old Mykhaylo Mudryk, who nearly moved to Leverkusen this summer and caused headaches with his blazing speed throughout the contest. Shakhtar pretty much parked the bus for the rest of the game, but Mudryk got a goal of his own in a 76th minute deadly counterattack.
Lassina Traore added another one in the 85th minute, as Leipzig continued to leave themselves extremely open at the back. The German side now fall deeper into a slump with this disastrous 4-1 home defeat in a memorable night for the Ukrainian club.
This could be the end of the road for Tedesco at Leipzig.