Klopp is a guest in the stands
Goal spectacle in Leipzig: Xavi pulls Werder’s teeth
Updated on January 12, 2025 – 5:32 p.mReading time: 3 min.
A gala performance from returnee Xavi gave RB Leipzig three points at the start of the year. A special guest watched the victory from the stands.
They missed him sorely in Leipzig. On Sunday evening, Xavi Simons showed why. The 21-year-old was the match winner in RB’s 4-2 home win (2-1) against Werder Bremen at the start of the year.
Xavi shot coach Marco Rose’s team into the lead after 23 minutes. The Dutch international answered Mitchell Weiser’s instant equalizer (26′) with his second goal (35′). Immediately after the start of the second half, Benjamin Šeško shocked Werder with a dream goal (47th). Christoph Baumgartner made the final decision (90th). Bremen’s substitute Oliver Burke was only able to shorten the score (90+3).
With the three points, Leipzig draws level with third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt in the table. Werder, on the other hand, missed out on the Europa League places. The North Germans are now eighth.
Meanwhile, there were prominent visitors in the stands at the Red Bull Arena. Former BVB and Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp watched the game on site. Klopp, who has been working as Head of Globel Soccer for Red Bull since the beginning of the year, took a seat between Leipzig’s Sports Managing Director Marcel Schäfer and Technical Director Mario Gómez (read more about this here).
Xavi Simons and David Raum, who had been injured for months, were back in the Leipzig starting line-up after their syndesmosis tears, but this did not initially impress Werder. The Hanseatic League, who went into the winter break with four competitive game wins in a row, were equal and put pressure primarily on the left side with Derrick Köhn. Romano Schmid (11th) had the first good chance, but after a cross from the right side by Marco Grüll, he chested the ball just wide of the goal.
Leipzig had control of the game and relied heavily on Xavi’s dribbling – initially unsuccessfully. Then a quick throw-in from Arthur Vermeeren was enough to crack the Werder defense. Loïs Openda extended to Xavi, who broke through the central back four and his low shot passed.
However, it only took three minutes before Weiser walked through the Leipzig defense just as unhindered. A one-two with Grüll and the full-back found himself free in front of Leipzig goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi. Balance.
Then Xavi’s solo lesson began. The Dutch international got the ball on the halfway line, shook off various Bremen players and was a bit lucky in the end. His shot was deflected by ex-Leipzig player Anthony Jung, meaning Bremen goalkeeper Michael Zetterer had no chance.
That also applied shortly after the start of the second half. Šeško, who had already been strong up to that point, simply took a shot from the left-hand position on the edge of the penalty area and the ball hit the angle as if it were being pulled on a string. A feeling of preliminary decision spread, Leipzig primarily wanted to switch and let Werder take control of the game for the time being.
However, the somewhat hapless Openda (63′) did not outsmart Zetterer with his shot at the near corner, two minutes later Xavi left the pitch to thunderous applause. In addition, Ridle Baku, who was only signed from VfL Wolfsburg on Friday, made his RB debut. Leipzig continued to push forward, but after a solo over 60 meters, Antonio Nusa (81′) only hit the post. Shortly before the end, Baumgartner converted into the net on the right before ex-Leipzig player Burke scored for Bremen in stoppage time.