Highlights

0:21
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Watch: Xabi Alonso: “An explosion of happiness”

0:31
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Xavi on his pre-game ball-kissing ritual

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Full-time! Leipzig 2-3 Leverkusen

Leverkusen preserve their unbeaten start with another workmanlike win. They did it the hard way, twice coming from behind to beat fourth-placed Leipzig 3-2. Alonso's men stay top, seven points clear of Bayern, who have two games in hand.
Full-time
90'
+ 2

Leverkusen sub

Hložek replaces countryman Schick, who has led the line admirably despite not having much to feed on. Two of the four allotted minutes still to play...
90'
+ 2

Substitution

90'
+ 1

Leverkusen lead for the first time!

The Bundesliga leaders strike again! Grimaldo is the provider with an inch-perfect corner that's poked home at the back post by the unmarked Hincapié!
90'
+ 1
Piero Hincapie
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
70 %
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
4.59 m
90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
88'

Palacios injury?

Andrich is on for Palacios, who appeared to hurt himself a few minutes ago. Alonso can do without another injury, given his current list of absentees.
86'

Leverkusen in charge

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
Can they find another late winner, like against Augsburg last time out?
xGoals
2
1.0
1.98
2
Goals
86'

Passes
359
625
86'

Distance run (km)
108.1
108.6
85'

Final Leipzig change

Xavi, who scored a spectacular opening goal, but faded after the restart, heads off. January signing Eljif Elmas is his replacement.
84'

Substitution

82'

Leverkusen plugging away

Wirtz sends over a corner that Blaswich shovels behind. Leverkusen keep the chance alive from their next attempt, before Hincapié shoots straight at Blaswich.
81'

Alonso-ball

Leverkusen build again, switching the ball from left to right with ease. Tella drives a cross towards the back post, but nobody's home.
80'

Patrik Slick

Superb football from Leverkusen as Schick rolls his marker and slides a perfect ball in behind the Leipzig defence for Grimaldo. The shot's on, but he opts for a return pass that's hooked away.
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Dead-ball prowess

Leverkusen have now scored 11 set-piece goals this season, including five from corners.
75'

Four Leipzig changes

Fresh legs at right-back, in midfield and up top. Leipzig have certainly been second best for the rump of the second half.
73'

Off target

Wirtz powers into the Leipzig box, before passing back to Grimaldo, who sends an ambitious dinked attempt over Blaswich's goal.
72'

Xavi suspension

Xavi's penalised for a late and high boot on Xhaka. It's his fifth yellow of the season, meaning he'll miss next week's meeting with third-placed Vf Stuttgart.
68'

Leverkusen asking questions

Quick-fire warning shots as Wirtz and then Grimaldo shoot wide, the latter via a deflection that yields a corner - but Leipzig survive.
67'

Sweeper-keeper

Blaswich dashes out of the area to toe clear a long forward pass. Leverkusen have their tails up again...
66'

Third Bayer booking

Wirtz joins Tah and Stanišić in the book after standing far too close to a Leipzig free-kick on halfway.
64'

Tah-da!

Leverkusen hit back for the second time at the Red Bull Arena. With Xavi off the pitch, Tah rises highest to head in Wirtz's in-swinging corner - 2-2!
63'

Jonathan Tah

GOAL!

2:2
Jonathan Tah
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
33 %
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
5.12 m
61'

Xavi concern

Xavi's in some pain, down on the turf clutching an ankle after blocking a cross from Hofmann. Leipzig will have a corner to defend in a moment...
59'

Leipzig defying xG

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
2
0.94
1.41
1
Goals
56'

Openda for Leipzig!

Wow! Wirtz forces a save from Blaswich to win a corner that's played horribly short. Leipzig pick it off and attack with Xavi. Olmo takes the ball on and slides a pass across the area for Openda to sink a clinical first-time finish.
56'

Loïs Openda

GOAL!

2:1
Loïs Openda
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
41 %
Shot speed
information
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
87.16 km/h
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
12.97 m
52'

Half chance!

Wirtz pops up again on the left for Leverkusen. He feeds Schick, whose first-time effort is into the side netting. Leverkusen are playing with far greater purpose since the restart...
48'

Leverkusen equalise!

What a start to the second half! Wirtz skips in off the left and finds Schick, who touches it back out to the wing for Grimaldo. He asks the question with a low ball into the six-yard box, where Tella skips away from Raum to fire home from close range.
48'
Video Assistant RefereeVideo Assistant Referee
SituationGoal
ReviewOffside?
DecisionGoal
47'

Nathan Tella

GOAL!

1:1
Nathan Tella
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
97 %
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
6.33 m
Kick-off!
Half-time
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Half-time: Leipzig 1-0 Leverkusen

Xavi's moment of magic has leaders Leverkusen in danger of falling to a first defeat of the season. Leipzig have been superb - what does Alonso have up his sleeve?
45'
+ 3

Worth a hit!

Schick takes aim in the Leipzig area following a mistake by Klostermann, but his shot cannons off Simakan's standing leg and behind off his own.
45'

Time added on

Three minutes at the end of a very impressive first half from a Leipzig perspective...
42'

Hincapié to the rescue!

Hofmann wants a corner after combining with Tella down the Leverkusen right, but the ball was still in play when Blaswich made the catch. Leipzig go straight up the other end with Openda. He finds Šeško, who's stopped from getting a shot off by Hincapié's superb recovery challenge.
41'

Expected Goals

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
Another reminder of the quality of Xavi's goal...
xGoals
1
0.4
0.24
0
Goals
38'

Proceed with caution

Stanišić with a tactical foul to stop Openda from playing Leipzig into a 2-v-1 attack. He's the second Bayer defender to be booked this first half.
0:29
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Watch: Xavi's stunning opening goal

34'

No way through

Schick tries to control a ball into the box from Wirtz, but Simakan does just enough to put the former Leipzig striker off.
32'

Wide!

Hofmann drives a speculative shot wide from range. The Germany international has five Bundesliga goals this season, but hasn't scored in eight.
31'

Tella joins the action

There's the change, with Nathan Tella on for the injured Frimpong. The former Arsenal youngster is making his ninth Bundesliga appearance.
30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
29'

Leipzig knocking at the door

Olmo breezes past Stanišić towards the byline, but his cross only finds the legs of Hrádecký. Alonso is cutting a very pensive figure in the technical area...
28'

Frimpong blow

Frimpong's gone down for the second time. It doesn't look like he'll be shaking this off...
25'

Leipzig in charge

More alarm bells for Leverkusen as Simakan finds time and space to play a teasing ball into the danger zone. Hrádecký is first to it, though, with Openda on the prowl once more.
Goal attempts
2off target
4on target
2off target
0on target
25'

Possession (%)
6436
21'

Chance!

Leipzig respond with Simakan, whose lose cross towards the near post forces Hrádecký into a crucial diving save. Stanišić then clears ahead of Openda.
19'

Bayer showing signs

Leverkusen appear to have taken the sting out of Leipzig's bright start as Wirtz tries to bring a chipped pass into the penalty area under his spell. For once, however, the December Player of the Month's deft touch evades him.
17'

Grimald-no!

Leverkusen's first real chance of note very nearly produces the equaliser. Grimaldo connects with Frimpong's cut-back in the box, but his rising strike is too close to Blaswich, who bats clear.
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Leipzig's main man

That was Xavi's fifth Bundesliga goal. The PSG loanee also has seven assists to show for his debut Bundesliga season so far. Only Openda has been involved in more Leipzig goals (11, plus four assists).
14'

Olmo-st!

Hrádecký is unmoved as Olmo bends a shot wide of the upright from 20 yards. That wasn't far away!
12'

Yellow peril

The Leverkusen defender is booked for a foul on Openda. He'll have to watch his step from here, and will miss next week's derby against Gladbach.
9'

Chance!

Almost a second Leipzig goal as Olmo slides a pass into the box for Šeško, who puts it wide on the stretch. Leverkusen are all over the place!
8'

Outrageous from Xavi!

Šeško gets the better of Tah on the left and finds Schlager. He clips a pass into the box for Xavi, who takes a superb first touch, an even better second one on the turn and applies a sensational finish into the bottom corner. Magic!
7'

Xavi Simons

GOAL!

1:0
Xavi Simons
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
9 %
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
14.38 m
5'

Denied!

Nervy moment for Leverkusen as Xavi slips a pass into the box for Šeško. He takes one touch too many, though, and Stanišić is able to get a block in. Openda then stings the palms of Hrádecký, who is fortunate to see the loose ball cleared to safety.
1'

Under way!

Fourth meets first - it should be a cracker!
Kick-off!

Teams out

There's a fantastic atmosphere inside the Red Bull Arena, befitting a top-four contest. Can Leipzig avenge their Matchday 1 loss at Leverkusen?

Table talk

Leverkusen begin the day four points clear of Bayern, who host Bremen tomorrow before playing their game in hand against Union Berlin on Wednesday. Leipzig are 12 points back in fourth, ahead of Dortmund - 4-0 winners in Cologne earlier today - on goal difference.

Familiar face

Leverkusen's Patrik Schick scored 10 goals in 22 Bundesliga games whilst on loan at Leipzig from Roma in 2019/20. Will the Czech striker be back to haunt his former club today?
0:06
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Watch: The boys in blue

Leverkusen are in the change strips today. Alonso's unbeaten Bundesliga leaders are this season's best away team with 20 points from a possible 24.
0:20
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Watch: Oh, Dani boy!

The Spain international, who scored a hat-trick against Bayern Munich in the season-opening Supercup, will be itching to get back on the pitch today. He made a second-half cameo in the Frankfurt loss - only his sixth Bundesliga appearance of an injury-hit campaign so far.

More on those teams

Rose makes three changes to the team beaten by Frankfurt. Castello Lukeba is recalled at centre-back, with Benjamin Henrichs making way and Lukas Klostermann moving out to the right. Nicolas Seiwald is preferred to Kevin Kampl in central midfield, while Dani Olmo is passed fit to make his first Bundesliga start since 9 September 2023, with Christoph Baumgartner benched. As for Leverkusen, Jonathan Tah returns in defence at the expense of Robert Andrich in the only change to the team that scored a late win over Augsburg on Matchday 17.

Leipzig starting line-up

Blaswich - Klostermann (c), Simakan, Castello, Raum - Olmo, Seiwald, Schlager, Xavi - Openda, Šeško

Leipzig subs

Gulácsi, Lenz, Baumgartner, Bitshiabu, Henrichs, Elmas, Baumgartner, Kampl, Poulsen, Eduardo

Leverkusen starting line-up

Hrádecký (c) - Stanišić, Tah, Hincapié - Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo - Hofmann, Wirtz - Schick

Leverkusen subs

Kovář, Fosu-Mensah, Andrich, Amiri, Mbamba, Puerta, Tella, Hložek, Izekor
3:17
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Watch: Bayer Leverkusen playing the Alonso way

Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen are still top of the Bundesliga, and still unbeaten after 17 matches.
0:43
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Watch: All Xavi's assists for Loïs Openda so far

Xavi and Loïs Openda have struck up a wonderful understanding in front of goal for RB Leipzig.
0:49
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Watch: Florian Wirtz voted December's Player of the Month!

Florian Wirtz's performances for Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen in the final month of 2023 helped him beat Alejandro Grimaldo, Loïs Openda, Harry Kane, Jeremie Frimpong and Xavi Simons to his second POTM award of the season.
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Rose's view on Leverkusen

"We know what we'll be facing on Saturday - a great team across the board. Leverkusen have played very well in recent years and have built up the confidence and self-belief to win games this season. Xabi Alonso's development as a coach is fantastic. He deserves his success. He's a great guy - but above all a winner. He gives everything to win."
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Alonso's view on Leipzig

“We know from the reverse fixture that we have a top game ahead of us, not to mention against a top opponent. They’re a very flexible team and have many intelligent players with high quality. They also have a top coach. It’ll be an interesting game.”

Benji and Pat ready to meet old friends

Benjamin Henrichs came through the Leverkusen academy and played 76 times for the first team before heading to first Monaco and then Leipzig. Meanwhile, Patrik Schick hit 10 goals in 22 Bundesliga games for RB Leipzig on loan from Roma in 2019/20.
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Probable line-ups

Who’s set to play this weekend? Who’s going to miss out? Keep up to date with all the latest team news right here!
2:03
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Watch: Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 RB Leipzig

Leverkusen and Leipzig served up a five-goal feast on the Bundesliga's opening weekend in August. Goals from Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah and Florian Wirtz ultimately put the hosts on the way to what would become an incredible start to the season despite Dani Olmo scoring and Loïs Openda netting his first Bundesliga goal.
2:03
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Watch: RB Leipzig 0-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Leipzig had numerous chances to strike back after Frankfurt burst through their defence to grab an early lead. Loïs Openda went closest for Leipzig, but the hosts were unable to find the net and suffered their first home defeat of the season.
2:03
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Watch: Augsburg 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen left it very late to secure the win needed to retain their four-point cushion over Bayern Munich at the top of the table. Exequiel Palacios smashed Leverkusen to three precious points in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
0:30
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Hello and welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 18 fixture between Leipzig and Leverkusen.