RECAP: Leipzig Top Young Boys with Second Half Surge

photo by DPA/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

by Anthony J. Merced

RB Leipzig defeated Young Boys 3-1 in their opening game in the UEFA Champions League group stage in Wankdorf Stadium on Tuesday night. It took a second half surge for the club to take all three points with goals from veteran Xaver Schlager and youngster Benjamin Sesko to put the game away.

Leipzig started fast with a goal in the third minute by Mohamed Simakan. The defender put away a corner kick with a header to give the East German powerhouses the lead. From there Young Boys surged back, pressing Leipzig and creating chances. It led to an equalizer in the 33rd minute by Meschak Elia. The striker settled the ball in the box before turning and taking a shot that beat goalkeeper Yanis Blaswich.

Leipzig emerged for the second half with vigor and pressed for a second goal early. Luis Openda and Yusuf Poulsen had chances that were brushed aside by the Young Boys keeper. A chance by Xavi Simons was also stopped although the teamed argued for a foul.

The game-winning goal finally came in the 73rd minute when Schlager blasted an effort in the 73rd minute from outside the box and found the back of the net. From there Leipzig continued to pressure until finding the brace from Sesko in stoppage time.

The win is fourth in a row in all competitions and sees them as heavy favorites to get out of the group. Next up is a road game in the Bundesliga this weekend against Borussia Monchengladbach with a chance to go top of Germany's first division.

STARTING XI:

RB Leipzig: Blaswich; Henrichs, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum, Simons, Schlager, Kampl, Forsberg, Openda, Poulsen

Young Boys: Racioppi; Janko, Amenda, Camara, Benito, Garcia, Niasse, Lauper, Ugrinic, Itten, Elia

SCORING SUMMARY:

3' (RB Leipzig) Mohamed Simakan

33' (Young Boys) Meschak Elia

73' (RB Leipzig) Xaver Schlager

90' (RB Leipzig) Benjamin Sesko

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