bundesliga

Angelino stunner crowns comfortable RB Leipzig win over Freiburg

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Angelino scored a superb late free-kick as RB Leipzig made it four home wins from four in the Bundesliga this season with a 3-0 triumph over Freiburg.

RB Leipzig 3-0 Freiburg
Goals: 1-0 Konate (26'), 2-0 Sabitzer (pen. 70'), 3-0 Angelino (89')

Julian Nagelsmann’s side were superior from the outset, pinning their visitors back inside their own half as they swarmed forward in numbers. Yussuf Poulsen headed wide with their first shot across the bows, before Willi Orban and Emil Forsberg both hit the post in quick succession. There was the sense that a goal was coming, but when it did arrive it came from an unlikely source. Marcel Sabitzer’s cross to the back post was headed into the middle by Nordi Mukiele, and Ibrahima Konate was first to it, sweeping home just his second Bundesliga goal from close range. Forsberg and Kevin Kampl fired just off target from distance as Leipzig threatened a second as half-time approached but Freiburg – who managed just one attempt at goal in the first 45 minutes – held on to regroup at the break.

They did just that, with Christian Streich seemingly giving his side the hair-dryer treatment in the changing room. The Black Forest club were almost unrecognisable from the first 45 minutes, winning more tackles in midfield and attacking with far greater belief. Manuel Gulde and Lukas Kübler both went close with headers, but just as Freiburg were building momentum, they conceded again. Nicolas Höfler bundled into the back of Christopher Nkunku inside the penalty area, and Sabitzer was ruthless from the spot to double Leipzig’s advantage with his second goal of the season. That effectively ended the game as a contest, with Freiburg recognising the size of the mountain they had to climb, and Angelino added gloss to the scoreline with a superb free-kick in the last minute to keep Leipzig in the hunt near the top of the table.

Match stats

  • Angelino is Leipzig's top scorer this term with five goals in all competitions, including three in the Bundesliga.
  • Nagelsmann's side have hit the woodwork six times already this season, a league high.
  • Konate's goal was just his second in his 54th Bundesliga outing.
  • Mukiele grabbed an assist in to mark his 50th appearance in Germany's top flight.
  • Forsberg made his 100th Bundesliga appearance for the club who were only promoted to the top flight in 2016.
  • Leipzig have converted all of their last 14 penalties in all competitions, nine of which have been in the Bundesliga.

Watch: Forsberg: "Now I'm looking forward to 200 games!"

Line-ups

Leipzig: Gulacsi - Mukiele (Henrichs 46'), Konate, Orban, Angelino - Sabitzer (c), Haidara (Olmo 63'), Kampl (Adams 82') - Nkunku (Hwang 87'), Poulsen, Forsberg (Sörloth 63')
Unused subs: Martinez, Samardzic, Kluivert
Out: Klostermann (knee), Laimer (knee), Upamecano (thigh)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann 

Freiburg: Müller - Gulde (Kwon 84'), Lienhart, Heintz - Kübler (Schmid 64'), Tempelmann, Santamaria (Grifo 64'), Höfler (Jeong 75'), Günter (c) - Sallai (Petersen 75'), Höler
Unused subs: Uphoff, Demirovic, Schlotterbeck, Boukhalfa
Out: 
Flekken (elbow), Haberer (ankle)
Coach: Christian Streich

Watch: Kampl: “Very often you’re just freestyling”