Dominik Szoboszlai scored a 96th-minute winner as RB Leipzig came from behind to down Werder Bremen and consolidate their place in the top four with two rounds of the 2022/23 season remaining.

RB Leipzig 2-1 Werder Bremen
Goals: 0-1 Bittencourt 70' (assist: Stage), 1-1 Orban 87' (assist: Nkunku), 2-1 Szoboszlai 90'+6 (assist: Nkunku)

Following fifth-placed Freiburg's 4-2 defeat to fellow top-four hopefuls Union Berlin on Saturday afternoon, Leipzig came into this encounter with the chance to consolidate their top-four spot against Bremen, who themselves were looking for a victory to secure their top-flight survival. As such, after a strong start from the visitors, the hosts dominated for the majority of the first half. However, Jiri Pavlenka was never really worked between the sticks, only needing to make comfortable saves to deny Amadou Haidara and Konrad Laimer from range. Instead, Leipzig wasted their best openings without additional intervention, as Mohamed Simakan headed wide from close range and Timo Werner volleyed an albeit difficult chance over the crossbar after a delightful first touch. Szoboszlai also struck the outside of the post direct from a corner, but Die Roten Bullen could hardly argue as the two teams went into the interval on level terms.

After the break, Bremen caused their opponents plenty of problems and came close to breaking the deadlock on a number of occasions. First, Romano Schmid fired an effort narrowly wide of Janis Blaswich's left-hand post, before the Leipzig shot-stopper kept out Marvin Ducksch's toe-poke with his feet. Still, Leipzig were not without their chances, and shortly after Leonardo Bittencourt curled an attempt narrowly over the bar, Marco Rose's outfit thought they had taken the lead when Christopher Nkunku tapped home Werner's low cross. However, the strike was ruled out due to a foul from Mohamed Simakan on Bittencourt in the build-up, and within a matter of minutes, Bremen moved in front. Bittencourt, who had been lively throughout, was the hero, getting on the end of Jens Stage's clever cross to bundle home. Leipzig were not willing to go down without a fight, though, and, after twice coming within inches of a leveller, Nkunku turned provider, delivering a pinpoint cross for Orban to head home. The 2022 DFB Cup winners weren't done there, either, as the French talisman put the ball on a plate for Szoboszlai, who made no mistake from close range to send the home crowd into raptures.

Match stats

• Leipzig have now won each of their last seven games against Bremen.
• Szoboszlai now has five goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga this term.
• Leipzig are unbeaten in each of their 27 matches against promoted teams.
• Match-winner Bittencourt, who was born in Leipzig, netted for the first time in 18 league matches.
• Bremen have won just one of their last 11 games in the top flight.
• While Die Werderaner have scored in each of their 11 Bundesliga matches, they have also conceded at least twice in each of their last 10.

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Teams

Leipzig: Blaswich - Simakan, Klostermann (Gvardiol 71'), Orban (c), Henrichs (Halstenberg 71') - Szoboszlai, Laimer (Schlager 82'), Haidara (Kampl 71'), Forsberg (Poulsen 76') - Nkunku, Werner
Unused subs: Nyland, Diallo, Raum, Silva
Out: Gulacsi (knee), Olmo (muscular)
Coach: Marco Rose

Bremen: Pavlenka - Veljkovic, Stark, Friedl (c) - Weiser, Bittencourt (Dinkci 78'), Gruev (Schmidt 76'), Stage, Jung -  Ducksch (Philipp 76'), Schmid (Mbom 86')
Unused subs: Zetterer, Buchanan, Groß, Chiarodia
Out: Agu (patella tendon), Füllkrug (calf),  Pieper (ankle)
Coach: Ole Werner

About the clubs

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