Benjamin Šeško on target for RB Leipzig against Young Boys
Benjamin Šeško and Emil Forsberg fired RB Leipzig to victory over Young Boys in their final 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group game.
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RB Leipzig 2-1 Young Boys Goals: 1-0 Šeško51'(assist: Henrichs), 1-1 Colley 53' (assist: Nsame), 2-1 Forsberg 55' (assist: Kampl)
Already through to the round of 16 as Group G runners-up, Leipzig were much changed from their 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga last weekend. Šeško and Liverpool loanee Fábio Carvalho were among the eight fresh faces, with the duo combining for Leipzig's first real opening just three minutes in. Mohamed Simakan's through-ball picked out Šeško, whose low cross into the six-yard box for Carvalho was cut out at the last. Šeško did put the ball in the net after a brilliant turn and finish moments later, but the goal was ruled out for offside upon VAR review. Young Boys threatened just once in a fairly even first half, with Peter Gulácsi reacting well to push Cheikh Niasse's header from a corner over the crossbar.
Šeško got his goal soon after the restart, the Slovakian with another emphatic finish to kick-start a remarkable five-minute spell. Young Boys went up the other end to equalise through Ebrima Colley after Castella Lukeba had conceded possession to Jean-Pierre Nsame, but parity lasted less than 120 seconds. Kevin Kampl did really well to poke the ball into the Young Boys penalty area for Forsberg, who drove a superb early finish into the far corner. Saidy Janko had a goal ruled out for offside, before former Bochum man Silvère Ganvoula hammered over as the Swiss visitors desperately sought an equaliser. Timo Werner then flunked a presentable late chance to add a third Leipzig goal, the substitute forward slashing high and wide from inside the Young Boys area.
2 - 1
(0 - 0)
Leipzig
FINAL
Young Boys
Champions League Group G, Matchday 6 Group G, Matchday 6 Red Bull Arena
90'
+ 3
Full-time! Leipzig 2-1 Young Boys
Yes, they can! Leipzig end Group G on 12 points, after doing the double over Young Boys and Red Star. Šeško and Forsberg were the scorers in an entertaining second half, either side of Colley's swift riposte. Just how far can Rose's team go in this season's competition?
Full-time
90'
Added time
Three minutes to go - can Leipzig hold on for a fourth group win in six?
87'
Wild!
Big chance for a third Leipzig goal, but Werner doesn't make a clean connection and slashes high and wide from inside the Young Boys penalty box. That move had everything but the finish.
A mistake by Schlager gifts the ball to Ganvoula on the edge of the Leipzig area, but he snatches at his shot, firing high into the stand behind Gulácsi's goal.
Young Boys have not given up yet as Garcia sends a shot wide from distance.
78'
Close!
Lenz concedes a free-kick for a rash challenge outside his own penalty box. It's touched to former Bochum man Ganvoula, who leathers a rising drive just over.
It's raining goals in Leipzig as Kampl drives forward and pokes a pass into the area for Forsberg, who finds the bottom corner with a really well-taken effort. No one expected him to take the shot on so early.
Wow - that wasn't in script! Lukeba concedes possession to Nsame, who races away and crosses into the danger zone, where Colley steals in to finish from close range.
Leipzig forge ahead through Šeško. It's another lovely turn and finish from a similar position inside the box to his earlier effort that was chalked off, but kudos to Poulsen for winning back the ball and feeding Henrichs in the build-up.
The Leipzig fans have gone a bit quiet. They're being outdone by the 2,000 or so travelling supporters right now.
25'
Off target
Seiwald sends a speculative effort wide. Leipzig are not playing with quite the same intensity as they were at the start.
20'
Big save!
He's not played not much this season, but that's a fantastic save by Gulácsi to tip Niasse's glancing header over the bar following an Ugrinic corner.
14'
Leipzig on top
Leipzig are just shading the possession count, despite that dominant start.
9'
Leipzig come again
Šeško's on the prowl again as Carvalho plays a chipped pass up towards the 18-yard box for the Slovakian to chase. Garcia sees off the threat on this occasion, but this is relentless from Leipzig.
6'
Disallowed goal!
Forsberg touches a pass into the feet of Šeško in the penalty box. He shows great composure to roll his marker and fire into the far corner, but there's a check for offside and it won't count.
3'
Denied!
Simakan bypasses the midfield with a brilliant ball up towards Šeško. He pulls it across goal for Carvalho, who has his pockets picked before he can get a shot off.
2'
Front foot
Bright start from Leipzig as Poulsen skates in off the left. He has teammates either side of him, but elects for a shot that's blocked.
2'
Ouch!
Former Hertha Berlin midfielder Fabian Lustenberger clips the heels of Poulsen. He's quick to apologise - that was very late.
1'
Under way!
Leipzig get the ball rolling at a rocking Red Bull Arena. The hosts won 3-1 in Switzerland at the start of the group campaign.
Kick-off!
Teams out!
'The chaaaampions' blares out, as is the norm before all fixtures in this competition. Kick-off is moments away...
Leipzig and proud
The home fans belt out the Leipzig club anthem, with its infectious 'Olé, Olé' chorus and hard-rock backing track. The scarves are in full swing - it's a real assault on the senses.
2:42
Watch: Inside the Red Bull Arena
Step inside Leipzig's home stadium, where Die Rotem Bullen have lost just one of their last 14 matches in all competitions (W11, D2). It's also one of 10 Euro 2024 venues.
Three out of four ain't bad!
Leipzig are one of three Bundesliga clubs already through to the round of 16, with Bayern and Dortmund also in the hat. Despite some valiant performances, Champions League debutants Union Berlin finished bottom of a group that contained Real Madrid, Napoli and Braga.
Leipzig good for goals
Leipzig have scored in all but three of their 22 home Champions League fixtures, including their last nine in a row dating back to a 2-0 loss to Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool in the 2020/21 round of 16.
Team news
Péter Gulácsi is one of eight changes to the Leipzig side that started last weekend's victory against Borussia Dortmund. Timo Werner returns from injury and takes his place on the bench with the hosts' forward line consisting of Benjamin Šeško and Yussuf Poulsen. Castello Lukeba, Benjamin Henrichs and Mohamed Simakan are those who keep their places from Saturday's win.
How good has Leipzig's on-loan attacker Xavi been this season? The Dutch magician took no time to settle into his new surroundings in Saxony and has already weighed in with 11 goal involvements in just 14 Bundesliga appearances this term. There will be plenty hoping that the 20-year-old is part of Marco Rose's plans at the Red Bull Arena this evening.
Gulácsi's big moment
There's a fantastic chance for Hungary international Péter Gulácsi to shine between the posts for Leipzig tonight with the goalkeeper - who was recently sidelined with a serious knee injury - set to make just his third appearance of the season against Young Boys. "He's extremely excited to be back in goal for the first time in over a year at his home ground [and] in front of his own fans and with his teammates," coach Rose said of the 33-year-old,
Leipzig's frontman is back in the Bundesliga side's squad having shaken off an adductor injury. Coach Marco Rose says that the Germany international "is an option" against Young Boys.
Die Roten Bullen kept up with the Bundesliga's leading sides with an impressive 3-2 win away against fellow Champions League challengers Borussia Dortmund last weekend. That result helped to maintain Leipzig's spot in the Bundesliga's top four.
"We want to win"
Despite his side guaranteed their passage through to the Champions League knockouts, coach Marco Rose insisted, "We want to win the game," as he chatted to the world's media yesterday. "A Champions League game is always important, so we will take tomorrow's match really seriously and try to get the victory for our fans at home," the tactician added.
How things stand
Leipzig are already through to the Champions League Round of 16 and will finish as runners up to Manchester City in Group G whatever happens in the game against Young Boys. For their part, the visitors are guaranteed third spot and a place in the Europa League play-offs.
You're very welcome to bundesliga.com's coverage of today's earlier Champions League game between RB Leipzig and Swiss side Young Boys.
Match stats
Leipzig finish second in Group G on 12 points, six behind holders Manchester City.
Šeško scored his seventh Leipzig goal, and second in this season's Champions League.
Forsberg is the highest Champions League scorer among current Leipzig players, with 11 goals in 41 games. He's one of seven players to have been at the club for all six of their Champions League campaigns to date.
This is the fourth time Leipzig have advanced to the knockouts, since debuting in 2017/18. Their best run was in 2019/20, when they went out at the semi-final stage to PSG.
Die Roten Bullen have scored in all but three of their 23 home Champions League fixtures, including their last nine in a row dating back to a 2-0 loss to Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool in the 2020/21 round of 16.
Young Boys have lost eight of 14 meetings with Bundesliga clubs (W3, D3), whilst winning only one of seven on German soil.
