Luckless Leipzig undone as Brahim strike puts Real Madrid in the ascendancy
RB Leipzig faced the might of Real Madrid in their Champions League Round of 16 clash tonight. Despite dominant periods, inaccuracy cost Marco Rose's side who lost the first-leg tie 1-0.
Leipzig's clash with Real Madrid was settled by Brahim Diaz in the 48th minute. The nifty Spaniard cut inside from the right, held off the attention from Simons and Schlager, to curl the ball into the top left corner of Gulacsi's net. The goal ensured Real Madrid ran out 1-0 winners, but the club from the Spanish capital didn't have it all their own way.
Die Roten Bullen outperformed their Spanish opponents in the opening 15 minutes as Andriy Lunin was kept busy between the posts. In fact, Benjamin Šeško had the ball in the Glacticos' net inside 2 minutes. The Slovenian's goal would be chalked off somewhat controversially, with Benjamin Henrichs adjudged to be obscuring the goalkeeper's movement.
Dani Olmo and Šeško continued to combine nicely in attack. Similarly Real Madrid's Brazilian duo of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior slowly began to purr at the other end. The latter's volley before the interval being the biggest signal of intent after a scoreless half.
Leipzig's chances continued to fall at the feet of Olmo and Šeško in the second half. However, each attempt continued to meet the impregnable force of Real's Ukranian shot-stopper. The aluminium came to Leipzig's rescue with 20 minutes to play - Vinicius' prodded shot would have undoubtedly sealed the result. As the game neared its end, Simons, Šesko, and Haidara unfurled further strikes as Real Madrid tried to sure up the result. Ultimately, Lunin remained unwavering on each occasion in what was a man of the match performance.