Szoboszlai show lifts Leipzig over Stuttgart
The historic first-ever Bundesliga fixture contested by two American head-coaches ended up proving a one-sided affair on Friday evening.
In his first start for his new German club since a €20 million transfer during last January's window, Dominik Szoboszlai bid the Bundesliga a spirited hello with a brilliantl brace in Leipzig's 4-0 win over Stuttgart.
In his first start for his new German club since a €20 million transfer during last January's window, Dominik Szoboszlai bid the Bundesliga a spirited hello with a brilliantl brace in Leipzig's 4-0 win over Stuttgart.
| Dominik Szoboszlai. | Photo: GEPA Pictures/Mathias Mandl |
Dominik Szoboszlai took over on the right wing, with Lukas Klostermann replacing Mukiele at right back. A late muscular injury to Angelino proved no issue as high value transfer Josko Gvardiol was able to step in at left back. With the exception of the injured Atakan Karazor (replaced early in the round one fixture against Fürth) Stuttgart's Pellegrino Matarazzo trusted the exact same XI.
It took some time for the difference in quality between the two teams to manifest itself. Leipzig were certainly able to create more chances in the opening half-hour, but certainly nothing that proved a real test for VfB keeper Florian Müller. The best chance of the game fell Swabian striker Hamidi Al Ghaddioui in the 33rd, but Matarazzo's Moroccan striker couldn't finish of a Roberto Massimo cross.
Five minutes after the Al Ghaddioui chance, Leipzig's big-money Hungarian transfer went ahead a picked the game up on his shoulders. From just outside the 18, Szboszlai let fly with a sleekly struck effort telegraphed toward the far corner. Müller stood absolutely no chance.
Another new Leipzig addition, André Silva, showed some slick skills of his own with a cheeky back-heel to an onrushing Emil Forsberg just after the restart. Less than 15 seconds into the second 45, the Saxon hosts were up 2-0 when the Swedish international finished off the service.
Szoboszlai again dazzled with another sumptuously struck ball in the 52nd. This time the 20-year-old finished off a direct free-kick, again from outside the 18, but over on the left-hand-side.
Silva added another from the spot in the 65th after Marc Oliver Kempf was adjudged to have improperly handled a ball in the box. The game decided on a 4-0 Leipzig lead thereafter, both American gaffers maxed out their sub allowances during a final 25 minutes played at half speed.