Tyler Adams impresses on winning debut with RB Leipzig
USA international Tyler Adams celebrated his Bundesliga debut with three points as RB Leipzig took the wind out of the sails of an in-form Fortuna Düsseldorf with a 4-0 win.
Düsseldorf 0-4 RB Leipzig
Goals: 0-1 Poulsen (2'), 0-2 Konate (9'), 0-3 Poulsen (16'), 0-4 Laimer (68')
Leipzig leapt into action – almost literally – as a ping-pong of headers inside the Fortuna penalty area finished with Yussuf Poulsen giving them the lead with his second attempt of a goalmouth melee. The hosts had barely recovered from that shock when they conceded again, Ibrahima Konate showing the skills of an accomplished striker as he duped the Düsseldorf defence before slotting past Rensing for his first ever Bundesliga goal. Worse was to follow for the home team with barely a quarter of an hour on the clock as Poulsen wrapped his left foot around the ball as he appeared to be losing control, but he had the angle to beat Rensing inside his near post.
Fortuna managed to limit the damage up to half-time, at which stage coach Friedhelm Funkel sent Marvin Ducksch on. More importantly, though, he appeared to have given his team more confidence as they showed more of the football which has seen them win five of their last eight. Leipzig were just as potent on the break, though, and after Marcel Sabitzer's shot was only parried by Rensing, Konrad Laimer accepted the gift for his first goal of the season. With Adams impressing on his Bundesliga debut, covering the most ground and making the most sprints and runs, Leipzig's grip on their lead was not going to be loosened as they bounced back from defeat to Dortmund and consolidated fourth place.
Match stats
- Poulsen supplied the tenth brace of a Leipzig player this season – his fourth. The last club to have so many in a single season was Werder Bremen in 1985/86.
- Konate and Laimer both scored their first Bundesliga goals: Konate's coming on his 31st appearance, Laimer's on his 37th.
- Leipzig still boast the joint-meanest defence in this season's Bundesliga (18 goals conceded).
- Both teams had nine attempts on goal, but eight of Leipzig's hit the target while none of Düsseldorf's did.
- Adams covered the most distance (7.28 miles), made the most intensive runs (97) and made the most challenges (17) of anyone on the pitch.
- Emil Forsberg made his return to Bundesliga action after almost four months out. His last appearance was on 7 October in the 6-0 win over Nuremberg.
Line-ups
Fortuna: Rensing – Zimmermann, Ayhan, Kaminski, Gießelmann – Raman (Ducksch 46'), Stöger, Morales, Fink (c) (Hennings 63'), Usami – Lukebakio (77' Barkok)
Unused substitutes: Drobny, Hoffmann, Karaman, Bodzek
Out: Contento (knee), Sobottka (ankle), Lovren (abdominal), Zimmer (muscle tear)
Coach: Friedhelm Funkel
Leipzig: Gulacsi – Klostermann, Orban, Konate, Halstenberg – Laimer, Demme (Forsberg 76'), Adams – Sabitzer (Cunha 85'), Poulsen, Werner (Augustin 85')
Unused subs: Mvogo, Saracchi, Ilsanker, Mukiele
Out: Bruma (ankle), Haidara (knee), Upamecano (suspended, knee), Kampl (ankle)
Coach: Ralf Rangnick
Watch: Adams gives his thoughts on life at Leipzig after making his debut
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Click here for the Düsseldorf vs. Leipzig match centre!
Related news
Leverkusen back in title race
The defending champions surged back into the race to retain their Bundesliga crown on Matchday 14, narrowing the gap behind Bayern to just four points.
How do Bayern and Leipzig stack up?
Bayern take on recent rivals Leipzig in their final game before the winter break. The record champions vs. the young pretenders - how do they compare?
Felix Nmecha: "We'll keep fighting"
The Germany international spoke to bundesliga.com about his evolving role, Nuri Şahin and Dortmund's aims for the rest of the season...