RB Leipzig began their 2023/24 UEFA Champions League campaign with a hard-earned win away to Swiss champions Young Boys.

Young Boys 1-3 RB Leipzig
Goals: 0-1 Simakan (3'), 1-1 Elia (33'), 1-2 Schlager (72'), 1-3 Šeško (90'+2)

On a three-match winning run in the Bundesliga, Leipzig made a flying start at the Stadium Wankdorf. After sights of goal for Yussuf Poulsen and Xaver Schlager, Mohamed Simakan met a David Raum corner to give his team a third-minute lead. Xavi and Benjamin Henrichs flashed long-range efforts wide, before Youngs Boys levelled very much against the run of play through Meschak Elia's fine outside-of-the-boot strike.

Anthony Racioppi pulled off a smart double save from Poulsen and Loïs Openda after the restart. Openda then shot wide, before being thwarted by another strong Racioppi save. Benjamin Šeško made an immediate impact with a fine solo run and finish, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Leipzig's persistence eventually told when Schlager fizzed in a shot from range. Šeško added the gloss at the end of a late counter to secure Marco Rose's team a deserved three points ahead of their next Group G fixture at home to holders Manchester City on 4 October.

Match stats

• Simakan's goal was the first of the 2023/24 Champions League.
• Schlager scored his first Champions League goal.
• Leipzig are playing in the Champions League for the sixth time since their maiden promotion to the Bundesliga in 2016. They have reached the knockouts on three occasions, including the 2019/20 semi-finals.
• Aged 20 years and 111 days, Šeško becomes Leipzig's youngest Champions League scorer. Jean-Kevin Augustin was 12 days older when he scored against Porto in October 2017.
• Leipzig have won their last five Champions League group games - a club record run.
• Die Roten Bullen are averaging 2.66 goals per game in the Champions League groups under Rose (15 across six games). They've scored two or more in their last five at this stage.

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Teams

Young Boys: Racioppi - Janko (Blum 69'), Amenda, Camara (c), Benito - Niasse (Nsame 85'), Lauper (Males 77'), Garcia (Persson 77') - Ugrinic - Elia, Itten (Ganvoula 70')
Unused subs: Von Ballmoos, Marino, Lakomy, Imeri, Chaiwa, Lustenberger, Monteiro
Out: - 
Coach: Raphael Wicky 

Leipzig: Blaswich - Henrichs, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum - Xavi (Werner 88'), Kampl (c), Schlager, Forsberg (Baumgartner 80') - Openda (Lenz 88'), Poulsen (Šeško 64')
Unused subs: Gulacsi, Seiwald, Carvalho, Köhler 
Out: Bitshiabu (knee), Haidara (calf), Klostermann (ill), Olmo (knee), Orban (knee)
Coach: Marco Rose  

As it happened!

1 - 3

(1 - 1)

Young Boys

FINAL

Leipzig

Champions League
Group G, Matchday 1 Group G, Matchday 1 Stadion Wankdorf, Bern

Game over!

Leipzig enjoy a superb start to the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 away win in Switzerland. Goals from Mohamed Simakan, Xaver Schlager and Benjamin Šeško helped Marco Rose's side to the best possible beginning in Group G. Die Roten Bullen next host defending European champions Manchester City on 4 October.

© IMAGO/Picture Point LE

90'

+ 2

Leipzig seal it

That's that! Benjamin Šeško rounds off a Leipzig counter-attack and nets to bag the first three points of the campaign for the delighted visitors.

90'

+ 2

Benjamin Šeško

GOAL!

1:3

90'

Yellow card

Mohamed Simakan

89'

Time added on

There will be five minutes tacked onto the end of this one.

88'

Late changes

Timo Werner and Christopher Lenz come on to give Xavi and Openda a deserved breather.

88'

Substitution

Timo Werner

Xavi Simons

88'

Substitution

Christopher Lenz

Loïs Openda

85'

Substitution

Nsame

Niasse

81'

So close Simakan!

But not at the end he would have liked. The Leipzig defender is a hair's breadth away from nodding Elias's centre into his own net. RBL escape.

78'

Leipzig swap

It's time for Marco Rose to make a change and it's Christoph Baumgartner coming on for Emil Forsberg.

78'

Substitution

Christoph Baumgartner

Emil Forsberg

77'

Yellow card

Emil Forsberg

77'

Home changes

It's one more double swap for the hosts as they seek to pull level once again late on.

77'

Substitution

Persson

Garcia

77'

Substitution

Males

Lauper

77'

Blum booked

The substitute goes in far too late on Xavi and that's one more booking for a Young Boys' player.

77'

Yellow card

Blum

73'

Leipzig back in front!

The visitors are ahead and an away goal had been coming. Xaver Schlager wallops one from distance and the ball flies into the corner!

73'

Xaver Schlager

GOAL!

1:2

69'

Double swap

Ganvoula and Blum have been thrown into the mix by Young Boys' boss Raphaël Wicky.

69'

Substitution

Ganvoula

Itten

69'

Substitution

Blum

Janko

68'

No go Šeško

Benjamin Šeško almost makes a dream start after coming on for Leipzig but the forward's headed effort from the back stick is ruled out for offside.

66'

Elias off target

Young Boys' goalscorer Elias sends an effort not too far wide of the upright. The home fans can sense there is a goal for their team here.

64'

Visiting change

Poulsen heads off the field to applause from the away fans. Benjamin Šeško is on ...

64'

Substitution

Benjamin Šeško

Yussuf Poulsen

63'

Openda denied

The Leipzig forward meets Raum's centre with a header that should be in all the way but Racioppi makes an super save to deny the visitors once again.

61'

Lauper booked

The Young Boys' player upends Kampl and sees yellow for his troubles.

61'

Yellow card

Lauper

59'

Openda misfires

Schlager feeds Openda but the forward fails to get a shot away after an enterprising turn.

55'

Kampl booked

Leipzig's midfielder goes into the referee's notebook for complaining about an earlier decision.

55'

Yellow card

Kevin Kampl

53'

VAR rules out penalty

A VAR check is needed after Xavi appears to be upended by Racioppi inside the Young Boys' box. The officials upstairs say no penalty and the hosts breathe a sigh of relief.

Intense battle

Things are getting steamy out there with the intensity of this encounter ratcheting up several notches. It's difficult to predict which of these two sides might go on and win this game from here, although RBL will fancy their chances.

© IMAGO/Picture Point LE

51'

Racioppi on high alert

Anthony Racioppi has been the busier of the two keepers so far this half, the 24 year old making a smart double stop to deny Poulsen and Openda a ltlle earlier.

48'

Similar start

Leipzig begin the second half as they did the first, by taking the game to Young Boys. Poulsen and Openda have been foiled with several efforts on goal as the visitors look to retake the lead.

46'

Off we go again ...

The second half is underway at the Stadion Wankdorf.

45'

+ 1

Half time

A half of two halves. Leipzig dominated the first and opened the scoring early doors via Simakan's header. Young Boys mounted a delayed response and ended the half in the ascendency following Elias's fine leveller.

45'

Benito booked

The Young Boys player goes in on Xavi and that's the first yellow card of the game.

45'

Yellow card

Benito

41'

Leipzig lose momentum

Henrichs and Xavi try to ease the pressure on Leipzig but the pair get their wires crossed and the visiting move breaks down. Marco Rose will be happy to hear the half-time whistle at this stage.

37'

Hosts surging

Young Boys have turned this game right around and are the dominant force right now. Elias tries a cross but Blaswich can intercept.

33'

Young Boys on terms

Ugrinic sets up Elias who sends a super strike into the net with the outside of his boot. The home crowd go wild, and understandably so. That was a wonderful goal.

33'

Elia

GOAL!

1:1

29'

Almost Henrichs

Ooooh that was close from Henrichs, who flashes an effort narrowly over the top. Great effort from the Leipzig full back.

26'

Elia excites

Young Boys forward Meschack Elia gets the home crowd on their feet with an exciting run on the break. His efforts go unrewarded, however, with Leipzig able to clear their lines.

21'

Visitors probing

Strong running from Openda down the right and the forward's cross just evades Xavi thanks to some solid work from Amenda.

RBL remain ahead

Leipzig still lead through Simakan's early header from Raum's corner. Simakan celebrated his third career Champions League goal this evening.

© IMAGO/Picture Point LE

16'

Home side calming

Young Boys have steadied the early storm somewhat and the hosts are finally starting to see a bit of the ball.

12'

Xavi goes close

The irrepressible Xabi almost puts Leipzig 2-0 up. The Dutch attacking midfielder sends a shot at the target that flies just past the upright.

8'

Simakan first

Lest we forget, Mohamed Simakan's early opener means he has scored the first goal of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League! That's no small feat for the 23-year-old centre back.

6'

Rose's men in command

Visiting coach Marco Rose will be delighted with his side thus far. Die Roten Bullen - playing in their sixth group stage campaign - have taken the game to their opponents and continue to threaten from set pieces.

3'

Leipzig lead!

Amazing! Leipzig are in front following a solid, attacking start and it's Mohamed Simakan with the opener, the defender meeting David Raum's corner and sending the ball past goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi .

3'

Mohamed Simakan

GOAL!

0:1

2'

Leipzig start strongly

A super start from the visitors, who have taken an attacking approach from the off with Schlager and Poulsen both having a go at the target.

1'

Peeeep !!

The ball is rolling in Bern!

Scarves in the air time!

Cracking atmosphere at the Wankdorf Stadium and we're not far away from the start of this exciting Group G opener!

0:46

Top 3 goals

As we count down to kick off in Switzerland, why not check out Leipzig's finest goals of the campaign thus far!

Familiar face in attack

Leipzig also stick with their experienced forward Yussuf Poulsen up top, the Dane accompanying the recently signed forward Loïs Openda. Elsewhere, Dani Olmo and captain Willi Orban both miss out with respective knee injuries. There is good news for goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi, who is on the bench once more after a length injury lay-off.

Team news

Marco Rose makes no changes to the side that triumphed 3-0 at home to Augsburg last weekend. That means one more start for Paris Saint-Germain loanee Xavi Simons, one of the Bundesliga's star turns this season with an incredible seven goal involvements.

© IMAGO/Picture Point LE

Leipzig starting XI

Blaswich - Henrichs, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum - Xavi, Kampl (c), Schlager, Forsberg - Openda, Poulsen

Leipzig subs

Gulacsi, Lenz, Werner, Seiwald, Baumgartner, Carvalho, Šeško, Köhler

Young Boys starting XI

Racioppi - Janko, Amenda, Camara (c), Benito - Niasse, Lauper, Garcia - Ugrinic - Elia, Itten

Young Boys subs

Von Ballmoos, Marino, Lakomy, Imeri, Chaiwa, Nsame, Persson, Blum, Lustenberger, Ganvoula, Males, Monteiro

1:04

Leipzig stroll to victory

Die Roten Bullen were in fine form as they defeated Augsburg 3-0 last time out.

Looking to start on the front foot

This is Leipzig's six UEFA Champions League group stage, and they have only won their opening game in two of their previous five participations. They have been defeated in the first game of the previous two editions - 4-1 against Shakhtar Donetsk last year and 6-3 versus Manchester City in 2021/22 - so Rose will be eager for his side to kick off with three points this time around.

Solid away days

Leipzig's record on the road in Europe is pretty decent. Of 30 games on their continental travels, Die Roten Bullen have won 12 and drawn five.

2:00

Supercup success

Leipzig began the current campaign with a statement of intent: a 3-0 DFL Supercup triumph away against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Solid experience

This is Leipzig's fifth successive campaign in the Champions League, meaning Marco Rose's men are well versed on what to expect in European football's elite competition. Tuesday's encounter does, however, represent a first-ever meeting between the Bundesliga side and Young Boys.

12:00

Leipzig lowdown

Why not warm up for Tuesday's game by checking your Leipzig knowledge with our handy video guide!?

Welcome along !

Hello and welcome to bundesliga.com's coverage of Leipzig's UEFA Champions League Group G opener against Swiss champions Young Boys.

About the clubs

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