Bundesliga
Šeško scores two but Leipzig lose
Two Benjamin Šeško strikes were not enough for Leipzig as they were shaded by Juventus in an entertaining affair.
RB Leipzig 2-3 Juventus
Goals: 1-0 Šeško 30' (assist: Openda), 1-1 Vlahović 50' (assist: Cambiaso), 2-1 Šeško 65' (pen.), 2-2 Vlahović 69' (assist: Conceicao), 2-3 Conceicao 83' (assist: Fagioli)
Red card: Di Gregorio 58'
Leipzig's fans showed just how much they were looking to more UEFA Champions League nights with a giant choreo before kick-off celebrating the club's history. Loïs Openda threatened in the opening minutes with a darting cross and ball from the right, but the Italian giants proved to be the more comfortable side on the ball in the opening stages. When the visitors tried to press for an opener, Leipzig left them reeling on the break as Openda hit a fine ball down the left for his strike partner Šeško to seize on - taking a touch towards the target and smashing an unstoppable drive in off the crossbar. The two sides traded efforts from distance after the opener, with Openda trying an audacious lob from the halfway line, but Leipzig kept the lead into the break.
Any hopes Leipzig had of calmly holding onto their advantage after the restart were soon dashed as the visitors made a venomous opening that led to Dusan Vlahović clipping a Cambiaso cross in to level. Leipzig immediately looked to regain the advantage, with Openda hitting the post before they were boosted by the sending off of Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio for handling the ball outside the penalty area. Things got even better when a penalty was awarded for a handball from the resulting free-kick. Šeško stepped up to smash his second of the night in clinical fashion, only for Vlahović to fire in a stunning second goal as Italian outfit showed resilience. Openda hit the post for a second time before Xavi and Nusa went close to a third goal - only for Francisco Conceicao to shock Leipzig with a lovely third goal for the Italian outfit. A late attacking salvo from the Bundesliga side came to nothing as they must continue to look for their first point in the Champions League.
As it happened!
2 - 3(1 - 0)
Leipzig
FINAL
Juventus
90' +8
vs
Leipzig still looking
Nusa has had another chance, and there have been a series of good balls played into the Juventus box, but it just won't happen....
90' +4
vs
Šeško served on the penalty spot
That was a chance to equalise and seal a hat-trick, but Šeško can only stab the ball at the goalkeeper after being picked out in space around the penalty spot.
90' +1
vs
André Silva
Loïs Openda
90' +1
vs
Nine additional minutes
Can Leipzig salvage their first point in the Champions League?
88'
vs
Leipzig pushing
The hosts are clipping balls into the box and win a corner as they hunt an equaliser.
87'
vs
Yussuf Poulsen
Nicolas Seiwald
87'
vs
Arthur Vermeeren
Lutsharel Geertruida
86'
vs
Openda almost in
Raum snaps a cross to Openda at the near post on the volley, but the Belgian's effort is blocked.
83'
vs
Conceicao puts Juve ahead
What a turn up for the books. Leipzig were sensing the chance to win it, but the ten men of Juventus have the lead as Francisco Conceicao waltzes past David Raum in the box and slots a clinical shot past Gulácsi.
79'
vs
Big Nusa chance!
Xavi lays the ball across to the substitute, who takes aim from the right with the goal gaping - but Kalulu gets a brilliant block in for Juventus.
79'
vs
David Raum
77'
vs
Xavi cracks free-kick wide
The Dutch playmaker takes a set-piece from a tight angle that zips just wide of the target and out.
76'
vs
Rose going for the gauntlet
Talented new signing Antonio Nusa has come on in an attacking change from Marco Rose. Leipzig would love to take three points from here!
76'
vs
Antonio Nusa
Amadou Haidara
71'
vs
Openda off the post again!
The Belgian hits the woodwork for the second half this time from a deflected effort before curling a shot wide.
69'
vs
Vlahović levels again!
Just when Leipzig seemed well in control, the ten men of Juventus have struck back - with Dusan Vlahović smashing a stunning drive from just outside the box right into the top corner.
67'
vs
Gulácsi gets it
The Leipzig goalkeeper is forced down low to save Fagioli's effort.
65'
vs
Šeško strikes from the spot!
Benjamin Šeško makes no mistake, sending the substitute goalkeeper the wrong way and restoring the lead!
64'
vs
Penalty to Leipzig
Douglas Luiz has conceded the penalty within seconds of coming on as a substitute.
62'
vs
Xavi free-kick deflected over
The playmaker smashes the resulting free-kick into the wall. It's deflected behind, and VAR will check if a penalty will be awarded as it appeared to strike a Juventus player on the arm.
58'
vs
Dismissal for Di Gregorio
The Juventus goalkeeper has to leave the field after rushing out of his area to block an Openda effort with his arm. A VAR review shows he handled it and denied a goalscoring opportunity. The visitors bring Perin on as a substitute goalkeeper for Yildiz. Leipzig will have a free-kick in a promising position.
58'
vs
Michele Di Gregorio
55'
vs
Raum to Šeško
The German international crosses from the left and the Slovenian heads over.
54'
vs
Openda onto the post
This game has really sparked into life. Openda hits a shot into Gatti, and then latches on the rebound to curl a drive onto the post from just outside the box.
50'
vs
Juventus are level
Vlahović is alert to Cambiaso's ball in from the left to beat his marker and bring Juventus back on level terms after a strong start to the second period.
49'
vs
Koopmeiners off the post
A let-off for Leipzig as former Schalke player McKennie tucks a delightful ball across for Koopmeiners, who hits the woodwork.
46'
vs
Tactical tweak
Henrichs comes on to act as a second defensive midfielder, while Haidara looks like he will move up slightly.
46'
vs
Benjamin Henrichs
Christoph Baumgartner
46'
vs
We're back
The Italians kick off the second period, with Leipzig making one change.
0 - 0
Kick-off!
0 - 0
Half-time
45' +4
vs
Seiwald sizes up the target
The young Austrian races to meet the ball on the edge of the box, but drives well over.
45' +3
vs
Jventus pressing
The visitors are pushing for an equaliser before the break, but they are being restricted to efforts from distance by Leipzig - with Conceicao clipping over from the edge of the box now.
45' +1
vs
Into stoppage time
Seven minutes are indicated after the two Juventus injury issues in the opening phase. Fagioli flashes a shot wide from 20 metres out.
43'
vs
Raum at the other end
The Leipzig left-back gets a good block in to deny Conceicao.
40'
vs
Raum in the area
Leipzig have grown in confidence since taking the lead and are continuing to threaten. David Raum tries to meet a deep cross from the right with a diving header but can't get much on his effort.
38'
vs
Outrageous Openda!
The Belgian tries to lob Di Gregorio from the halfway line - it's a good effort, but the Juventus goalkeeper tracks back and saves.
37'
vs
VAR check for spot kick
Vlahovic went down under a challenge from Lukeba and VAR was consulted, but no penalty was awarded to the Italian side.
28'
vs
Koopmeiners cannons over
The Juventus midfielder lines up a shot 20 metres out and fires well over.
25'
vs
Xavi down
The Leipzig playmaker gets clattered in the middle of the pitch while trying to turn the ball forward, but nothing is awarded to the hosts for it - he gets treated and is fine to continue.
22'
vs
Lukeba almost gets a look-in
Xavi gets blocked on the left edge of the area and plays an intelligent backheel that Lukeba runs onto. He wins a corner with his efforts to turn the ball into the middle, which Juventus clear.
20'
vs
Juventus bossing the ball
The visitors have played over 100 passes so far, with Leipzig on just over 40 - yet the hosts have defended well and we await further opportunities.
12'
vs
Another change
Curiously Juventus have to make their second substitution of the opening minutes as Gonzalez suddenly goes to ground, and the winger is replaced by Francisco Conceicao.
9'
vs
Ball into the box
It's cut in from the left by the visitors for Vlahović, who flies at the ball but catches David Raum and Leipzig are awarded a free-kick.
6'
vs
Haidara hoists over
Xavi's corner falls to Haidara 25 metres out, but he smashes an effort over the bar.
Match stats
- Šeško has scored five Champions League goals in total for Leipzig - and now has three this season.
- Openda has four goals to show for his first ten Champions League appearances for Leipzig.
- Leipzig are playing Champions League football for the seventh time. Their best run was to the 2019/20 semi-finals.
- Die Roten Bullen have now won two, drawn one and lost two of their five meetings with Italian opposition.
- Rose's team have now lost two of their last 20 competitive games (including the 2-1 defeat to Atléti).
- Leipzig are the 10th different German club to face Juventus in UEFA competition, after Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Eintracht Braunschweig, Eintracht Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg and Hertha Berlin.
- McKennie made 75 Bundesliga appearances for Schalke between May 2017 and the end of the 2019/20 campaign.
Teams
Leipzig: Gulácsi - Geertruida (Vermeeren 87'), Orbán (c), Lukeba, Raum - Seiwald (Poulsen 87'), Haidara (Nusa 75') - Baumgartner (Henrichs 46'), Xavi - Šeško, Openda (André Silva 90+1')
Unused subs: Vandevoordt, Bitshiabu, Elmas, Klostermann, André Silva, Gebel
Out: Kampl (groin), Ouédraogo (knee), Schlager (knee)
Coach: Marco Rose
Juventus: Di Gregorio - Savona (Douglas Luiz 61'), Kalulu, Bremer (c) (Gatti 6'), Cambiaso - Fagioli, McKennie - González (Conceicao 12'), Koopmeiners, Yıldız (Perin 60') - Vlahović
Out: Adžić (muscular), Milik (knee), Weah (ankle)
Coach: Thiago Motta