Timo Werner hits first Bundesliga hat-trick as clinical RB Leipzig stay perfect with 3-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach
RB Leipzig's Germany international Timo Werner was at his clinical best as they maintained their 100 per cent record under Julian Nagelsmann with a 3-1 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-3 RB Leipzig
Goals: 0-1 Werner (38'), 0-2 Werner (47') , 1-2 Embolo (90+1'), 1-3 Werner (90+4')
As expected with Marco Rose and Julian Nagelsmann in the opposing Borussia Park dugouts, two attacking teams went toe-to-toe from the off and it was the hosts who carved out the first opening, Alassane Plea volleying over after a clever one-two freed him in the Leipzig box. Breel Embolo also lifted over before Plea had another opportunity to put the hosts in front but could only shoot straight at Peter Gulacsi. Gladbach would pay for their profligacy shortly before half time as Werner latched on to Emil Forsberg’s through ball and ruthlessly put the visitors in front. It was almost 2-0 moments later but Kevin Kampl’s effort was chalked off for offside.
Their lead was doubled just two minutes into the second half, however, as Werner clinically punished the Gladbach defence once more. The Germany international took up possession and raced beyond Nico Elvedi before applying the obligatory finish. Yussuf Poulsen nearly made it three but for Yann Sommer’s superb one-handed save that denied the Dane from just two yards out. Gladbach did finally make a deserved breakthrough in stoppage time with Embolo’s header and the Swiss forward almost salvaged a point but could only head over just a minute later. His miss was immediately punished by Werner who ran clear at the other end and completed his first Bundesliga hat trick with a fifth goal in three games as Leipzig maintained their perfect start to the season.
Watch: Werner on his first Bundesliga hat-trick
Match stats
- Werner scored his first ever Bundesliga hat-trick.
- The Leipzig striker has scored on the first three matchdays of a Bundesliga season for the first time. It is the longest consecutive goal scoring run of his career.
- The Germany international has had a hand in nine of Leipzig’s 13 Bundesliga goals against Gladbach, scoring eight and providing one assist.
- Borussia are currently without a win in nine Bundesliga home games, which is the second-longest run in the club’s history.
- Leipzig have won all four of their visits to Mönchengladbach and are unbeaten against the Foals all told (W5, D2).
Line-ups
Gladbach: Sommer (c) – Lainer, Ginter, Elvedi, Wendt – Neuhaus (Kramer 77'), Zakaria, Johnson (Raffael 74') – Embolo – Thuram (Benes 66'), Plea
Unused subs: Sippel, Herrmann, Bayer, Traore, Jantschke, Bensebaini
Out: Hofmann (knee), Stindl (broken shin), Strobl (knee), Villalba (match fitness)
Coach: Marco Rose
Leipzig: Gulacsi – Klostermann, Konate, Orban (c), Halstenberg (Mukiele 83') – Laimer, Kampl (Demme 70') – Sabitzer, Forsberg (Haidara 63') – Poulsen, Werner
Unused subs: Mvogo, Ilsanker, Lookman, Nkunku, Cunha, Ampadu,
Out: Adams (groin), Wolf (ankle)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
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