RB Leipzig overcame Stuttgart to register their first three points of the Bundesliga campaign with a 5-1 victory. A positive first-half from the visitors was overshadowed by a self-destructing second-half display. Goals from Serhou Guirassy and Benjamin Henrichs saw the game level after fifty minutes. Then Leipzig hit their rhythm, as goals from Dani Olmo, Loïs Openda, Kevin Kampl and Xavi Simons left Die Roten stunned. In a game that perfectly fits the cliché ‘game of two halves’, both sides will understand that there is still work to do at the start of the season.
Dani Olmo is RB Leipzig’s new main man
After a scintillating display in the DFL-Supercup two weeks ago, Dani Olmo’s hattrick saw Die Roten Bullen dismantle Bayern Munich in frightening fashion. Despite a 3-2 defeat away at Leverkusen on Matchday one, the Spaniard was still able to open his Bundesliga account for the season.
However, tonight, Olmo’s goalscoring antics would inspire Leipzig to three points, as well as, highlight the fact that the 25-year-old may be the best attacking midfielder in the Bundesliga. His phenomenal footwork inside the box caused the Stuttgart defence endless problems – narrowly avoiding conceding multiple penalties due to the attackers’ trickery.
Taking control of a game that threatened to pass Leipzig by, Olmo placed his side into a lead that they would ultimately never look like losing. A swivel on the edge of the box enabled Olmo to unleash a vicious strike that caught Alexander Nübel off guard, as the Spaniard collected his fifth goal in three games. The sky is certainly the limit for the 25-year-old and he is just beginning to show how dangerous he can be.
Stuttgart stun themselves
Tonight’s scoreline will reflect defeat for Stuttgart, but the performance will concern Sebastian Hoeneß and the Die Roten faithful far more. They were unable to build upon their breathtaking 5-0 victory at home to Bochum last Saturday, and there is undoubtedly work still to do in Swabia.
There were certainly bright sparks for Stuttgart as Chris Führich looked to continue his fine form with a first-half display mirroring his performance from last weekend. The 25-year-old has always shown that he has an abundance of talent, however, consistently displaying it will be crucial for Hoeneß and his side if they are to improve upon a disappointing campaign last season.
While in Serhou Guirassy, Die Roten have a lethal marksman, who displayed unwavering composure to take the ball past Mohamed Simakan before calmly finding the far post to open the scoring. However, a second-half meltdown could suggest that the loss of Wataru Endō and Konstantinos Mavropanos has hurt Stuttgart more than first imagined.
Leipzig are not yet the finished product
Many believed that Leipzig would be the side to challenge Bayern tooth and nail for the Meisterschale this season, and tonight’s performance suggested that Die Roten Bullen are back on course after defeat last Saturday. Despite losing a number of key players over the summer, the recruitment has looked to be genius, but it will take time for Leipzig to hit their stride.
The DFL-Supercup victory had been followed up with disappointment in the league – albeit to an impressive Bayer Leverkusen display. However, bouncing back with a victory tonight, Rose will take plenty of positives from tonight’s game. Similarly, it is clear to see that there will still be teething problems as he tries to bed his new players into the side.
Inconsistencies are bound to occur in a side that have experienced such a turnover during the past few months. Nevertheless, those who have come in have shown promising signs. Openda has scored for successive matchdays, while Simons also found his first goal of the season. If Rose can quickly gel his side together then Bayern will have another challenger to their crown.
GGFN | Will Shopland