RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande sparkles against VfB Stuttgart
Yan Diomande had a hand in two goals as RB Leipzig reclaimed second place after ending VfB Stuttgart's five-game winning streak.
RB Leipzig 3-1 VfB Stuttgart
Goals: 1-0 Chabot og 45', 2-0 Diomande 53' (assist: Baumgartner), 2-1 Tomás 65' (assist: Jaquez), 3-1 Rômulo 90'+1
Two teams in scintillating form met at the Red Bull Arena as Leipzig hosted Stuttgart in a battle between second and third in the Bundesliga. Both sides had won six of their last seven league matches coming into this encounter, with Stuttgart on a five-game winning streak.
Leipzig had impressively recovered from an opening-day 6-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, while the visitors had continued their strong form despite summer departures and injuries to key players. All eyes were on Ole Werner's young Leipzig squad, who had been taking the league by storm since their chastening opening-day experience.
Stuttgart began the brighter of the two teams, dominating possession and pinning Leipzig back in the early stages. David Raum had an early opportunity for the hosts but was denied by a fine save from Alexander Nübel. The visitors continued to press, with Deniz Undav heading over from Josha Vagnoman's cross as they looked the more threatening side.
Leipzig gradually grew into the game, with Antonio Nusa stinging Nübel's palms with a fierce effort from the left side of the box. Assan Ouédraogo and Rômulo both came close as the hosts began to assert themselves. The deadlock was finally broken on the stroke of half-time when Diomande's teasing cross from the right flank was inadvertently turned into his own net by Jeff Chabot, giving Leipzig a somewhat fortuitous 1-0 lead at the break.
Diomande doubles the advantage
Leipzig came out with renewed purpose after the interval, and it wasn't long before they doubled their advantage. In the 53rd minute, Diomande received the ball on the edge of the area and, after working space between two Stuttgart defenders, fired a clinical left-footed shot into the bottom corner past the despairing dive of Nübel.
It was a moment of individual brilliance from the 18-year-old, who had been causing problems for Stuttgart's defence throughout the match. Sebastian Hoeneß responded immediately, making a double change with Nikolas Nartey and Tiago Tomás replacing Maximilian Mittelstädt and Chris Führich as Stuttgart sought a way back into the contest.
Tomás gives Stuttgart hope
Hoeneß's changes paid immediate dividends as Stuttgart halved the deficit in the 65th minute. Luca Jaquez played a perfectly weighted long ball for substitute Tomás, who showed great composure to round Péter Gulácsi before slotting into the empty net. It was a clinical finish from the Portuguese forward just seven minutes after coming off the bench.
Werner responded by bringing on Johan Bakayoko and Xaver Schlager for Nusa and Ouédraogo as Leipzig looked to shore things up in midfield and protect their slender lead. Stuttgart pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but despite having more possession, they struggled to create clear-cut chances against a disciplined Leipzig defence.
Rômulo seals the points
As the match entered its closing stages, Leipzig defended resolutely while looking dangerous on the counter-attack. Nübel kept Stuttgart in the game with a stunning save from Rômulo's powerful header from a Raum free-kick.
But the Brazilian forward would have the final say in stoppage time. In the 91st minute, Rômulo pressured Nübel as he attempted to play out from the back, dispossessing the Stuttgart goalkeeper before calmly slotting into the empty net to make it 3-1 and secure all three points for the hosts.
The victory moved Leipzig back above Dortmund into second place, leaving Stuttgart four points behind the top two.
Player of the Match: Yan Diomande
Forward Diomande was the star of the show at the Red Bull Arena, putting in a complete performance that demonstrated why he's considered one of the Bundesliga's most exciting young talents.
The 18-year-old Ivorian was involved in two of Leipzig's three goals, providing the cross that led to Chabot's own goal before scoring a brilliant second himself. His pace and directness troubled Stuttgart throughout, as evidenced by his match-leading top speed of 35.84 km/h.
Diomande also won an impressive 21 challenges, more than any other player on the pitch, highlighting his all-round contribution to Leipzig's victory.
The youngster's performance was duly recognised as he was voted Man of the Match with 42% of the votes.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Leipzig 2.35 - Stuttgart 1.15
Fastest player: Yan Diomande (Leipzig), 35.84 km/h
Most pressed player: Rômulo (Leipzig), 26 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), +4.45
Fantasy Heroes: Yan Diomande (Leipzig, 364 Points), Rômulo (Leipzig, 300 Points), Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart, 228 Points)
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Bayern Munich hit the first-half afterburners against Bayer Leverkusen on a weekend when RB Leipzig continued their winning run and BVB picked up another three points.