T. Welz
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90'
+ 4
WHAT A TURNAROUND
If the first half was a story of Leverkusen's dominance, the second half belonged to Leipzig's clinical effectiveness. The away side had six shots on goal all match and converted four of them. This means that Leipzig have done the double over Leverkusen this season, having won at 3-0 at home in November.
Full-time
90'
NOT GIVING UP
Leverkusen look frustrated, but not finished. They are taking every chance to get the ball forward and into the box in a desperate effort to get back within touching distance.
85'
Substitution
83'
HOW'S THAT FOR SKILL?
Substitute Matheus Cunha looks to have put this game to bed. The Brazilian receives a pass just outside the area and takes one touch as he spins away from his marker. One-on-one with the keeper he gets his foot under the ball and chips it up and over for Leipzig's fourth.
81'
Substitution
81'
GOING FOR IT
We're into the last ten minutes and Peter Bosz has turned to young Brazilian forward Paulinho to try to find his side's third goal.
72'
THEY'VE TURNED IT AROUND!
Emil Forsberg gives Leipzig the lead for the first time this afternoon by cooly converting his penalty. We're in for quite the finish here!
72'
Substitution
70'
PENALTY!
After consulting the video referee, Leipzig have been awarded a penalty for a handball by Weiser. The contact was minimal and looked accidental, but it's been given.
69'
REASON FOR HOPE?
When Timo Werner scores, Leipzig win. It's happened seven times already this season...
63'
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED
Leipzig finally make their possession pay off and find their equalizer. Timo Werner does very well on the left to control the ball and manoever into position for a shot. When it does come, it's the German international's right boot that puts a rocket past Hradecky. It's Werner's 13th goal of the season.
61'
HARD WORK, LITTLE JOY
The two half-time changes have done little to change RB Leipzig's fortunes. Rangnick's side are trying desperately to put together some attacking movement but have struggled to find a killer pass to unlock a determined Leverkusen backline.
57'
THAT KID'S PRETTY GOOD, YOU KNOW?
At 19 years and 299 days, Leverkusen's Kai Havertz has become the third-youngest player to score 12 gaols in a single Bundesliga season. Will he make it 13 today?
51'
BACK TO 2-1
After reviewing the video, the referee has correctly disallowed the goal for offside. As you were, everyone!
51'
THERE'S THE THIRD...?
Leon Bailey has the ball in the back of the net after breaking away from the Leipzig defenders, but there are suspicions of offside. The referee is consulting VAR...
46'
Substitution
46'
Substitution
Kick-off!
Half-time
45'
+ 1
IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS
It would be hard to argue that Leverkusen don't deserve to lead at the break. The home side have six shots on goal to Leipzig's three, have had 67% of possession, and have won 63% of the duels. Leipzig have the quality to turn this match around, but will have to lift their game for the second half if they want to return to Saxony with a result.
45'
LEIPZIG MAKE CHANGES
At the start of the second half, Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick feels the need to switch things up a bit and brings on Mukiele and Cunha for Klostermann and Haidara respectively. His opposite number Peter Bosz is understandably content with his team as it is.
39'
THIRD GOAL REMAINS ELUSIVE
Bayer are pushing for a two-goal lead before half-time. They are working the ball around very well. Julian Brandt nearly gets his name on the scoresheet but sees his shot sail wide of the upright.
36'
WERNER ON THE COUNTER
Timo Werner almost provided the spark his side needed to grab a second goal. The striker recovers the ball in the middle of the pitch and has space to use his pace. Unfortunately for him, his touch lets him down and the ball trickles harmlessly out of play.
34'
ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE
Leipzig are definitely not out of this one, but they are struggling to get out of their own half. The visitors seem to be lacking a bit of creativity and incision when they do get the ball and are up against a spirited Leverkusen side who really fancy this one.
27'
NEARLY A THIRD
Kevin Volland once again goes close. Leon Bailey did very well out on the left, beating his man and putting the ball into the centre of the box where Volland was arriving. The striker gets his foot to it, but once again Gulacsi denies him a goal, this time with his right boot.
23'
THAT MAN AGAIN!
It's a double for Kai Havertz. Leverkusen managed to work the ball into the attacking third and won a corner. The original ball in is cleared but is headed back to Havertz, completely unmarked on the right, who hits an unstoppable shot first time.
22'
STARTING AGAIN
The home side look have been a bit rattled by conceding the equalizer. The early confiednce and fluidity is not quite there.
17'
AND WE'RE LEVEL
Leipzig are awarded a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the Leverkusen area. Marcel Sabitzer is the man to take it and makes absolutely no mistake as he curls his shot over the wall and past a stranded Hradecky.
15'
CHANCE!
Leverkusen nearly double thier lead after Brandt puts Volland clean through on goal. The striker couldn't get the right contact on the ball to lift it over the keeper and Gulacsi is able to get his gloves to it.
11'
COOL AS CAN BE
Havertz keeps calm, sends Gulasci the wrong way, and slots the ball into the bottom left corner. The Bayer Arena is rocking now!
9'
PENALTY!
Volland is pulled down in the box and the referee doesn't hesitate to point to the spot. Kai Havertz steps up...
7'
MISSING ADAMS
RB Leipzig are today without the services of 20-year-old American midfielder Tyler Adams, who has made quite an impact at the club in 2019.
4'
BAYER LOOKING COMFORTABLE
The hosts have had most of the early possession and have settled nicely as they probe the Leipzig defence for weaknesses.
Kick-off!
THREE CHANGES FOR LEVERKUSEN
Bayer Leverkusen have a new set of full-backs for today's match, with Wendell and Weiser coming into the side. Charles Aranguiz is the other new face, partnering Baumgartlinger in the centre of the pitch.
POULSEN OUT
RB Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen is out of today's match. The Denmark forward has come down with a cold and will not be able to help his side in their quest to secure Champions League football today.
RB LEIPZIG LINE-UP
Gulacsi – Klostermann, Konate, Orban (c), Halstenberg – Laimer, Kampl, Haidara, Sabitzer – Forsberg – Werner
SUBS: Mvogo, Ilsanker, Bruma, Cunha, Mukiele, Augustin, Demme
BAYER LEVERKUSEN LINE-UP
Hradecky – Weiser, Tah, S. Bender, Wendell – Baumgartlinger, Aranguiz – Havertz, Brandt, Bailey – Volland (c)
SUBS: Özcan, Dragovic, Paulinho, Kiese Thelin, Alario, Jedvaj, Kohr
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEST
The stakes are also high for Leipzig, who know a win would further cement their place in the top four and edge them closer to Champions League football next season. Defeat, however, combined with a win for Frankfurt could see them cede third place.
"GET ROUND THE BACK"|
RB Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick says the key to victory will be "getting round the back" of the Leverkusen defence – very much like they did with consummate ease against Hertha Berlin last weekend. He doesn't expect it to be so easy this time, though. "We know what problems Leverkusen's style of play can cause," he said. "We've got to expect them to get at us from the get-go."
BOUNCE BACK BAYER?
Bayer Leverkusen have lost two in a row and consequently slipped out of the top six. It is therefore a case of now or never, according to coach Peter Bosz. "We're coming to the end of the league campaign and each game is more important," he said. "It isn't a final for us tomorrow but there are not many more opportunities to put things right. For that reason, it's absolutely a very important game for us."
Welcome along to the match centre for the game Leverkusen vs. RB Leipzig from matchday 28 of the 2018/19 Bundesliga season at the BayArena. Check back here for full information on the match.