Antonio Nusa stars as RB Leipzig thrash Hamburg
Antonio Nusa registered a goal and two assists, while Christopher Nkunku came off the bench to score for the first time since returning to RB Leipzig as Martín Demichelis’ side demolished Hamburg at the Red Bull Arena.
Demichelis made five changes to his Leipzig team following their UEFA Champions League defeat in Como, bringing in Tidiam Gomis, Ezechiel Banzuzi, Benjamin Henrichs, Assan Ouédraogo and Brajan Gruda.
Hamburg head coach Merlin Polzin also freshened up his line-up after a heavy home loss to Mainz, handing starts to Yussuf Poulsen, Patson Daka, Shafiq Nandja and Albert Sambi Lokonga. Nandja, who has just turned 19, wore a debut patch for his first Bundesliga start, replacing the injured Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Gomis and Nusa put hosts in control
Hamburg made the brighter start and forced an early corner, with Poulsen denied by a blocked effort inside the box. Henrichs then fired a dangerous effort just past the post after cutting inside from the right.
Leipzig broke through in the 17th minute when Gruda found Banzuzi on the right, whose low cross was turned home first-time by Gomis for his second Bundesliga goal. Nusa doubled the lead in the 28th minute after a defensive mistake sent him clear, his shot deflecting off Jordan Torunarigha and past Daniel Heuer Fernandes.
Ouédraogo was forced off with a shoulder problem in the 35th minute and replaced by Nkunku. Leipzig continued to dominate territory and chances before the break, with Henrichs again denied by a blocked shot late in the first half.
Three goals in five minutes seal it
Hamburg improved after the break and David Møller Wolfe forced a fine save from Maarten Vandevoordt. Further chances came for Zakaria El Ouahdi and Daka as the visitors pushed for a way back into the game, before Heuer Fernandes produced a big save to deny Nkunku.
But Leipzig struck three times between the 72nd and 77th minutes to put the game to bed. Willi Orbán headed in a Nusa free kick for 3-0, Nkunku slotted home from a Nusa pass for the hosts' fourth, and substitute Rômulo rounded the goalkeeper to complete the rout.
Man of the Match: Antonio Nusa
Nusa was named Man of the Match after a magnificent display at the Red Bull Arena.
The Norway international scored Leipzig's second goal, won the free-kick that led to Orbán's header for 3-0, and set up Nkunku's fourth with a clever pass after leaving behind a defender. He also recorded the highest maximum speed of any player on the pitch.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: RB Leipzig 3.18 - Hamburg 0.70
Fastest player: Antonio Nusa (Leipzig), 35.04 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-0 by Antonio Nusa (Leipzig), 21 per cent
Pass efficiency: Nicolai Remberg (Hamburg), +3.72
Fantasy Heroes: Antonio Nusa (Leipzig, 401 Points), Willi Orbán (Leipzig, 359 Points), Maarten Vandevoordt (Leipzig, 295 Points)
