Bundesliga
RB Leipzig are on a charge up the Bundesliga standings after Johan Bakayoko's early strike against Wolfsburg extended Die Roten Bullen's winning streak to four straight matches.
Wolfsburg 0-1 RB Leipzig
Goals: 0-1 Bakayoko 8’ (assist: Rômulo)
The visitors arrived at the Volkswagen Arena with morale high after their winning spree helped to erase memories of a 6-0 mauling at the hands of Bayern Munich on the opening day, and were keen to avoid going an 11th home match without a win in Germany's top flight.
Wolfsburg started brightly, with Mohamed Amoura testing Péter Gulácsi in the opening minute. The hosts continued to press forward, as Moritz Jenz subsequently saw his close-range effort blocked.
However, the game turned in the eighth minute when Amoura gifted possession to Rômulo in his own half. The Leipzig attacker quickly fed Bakayoko, who fired a low shot into the bottom corner past Kamil Grabara. The goal – Leipzig's 600th in Bundesliga history – silenced the home crowd.
The visitors controlled much of the remainder of the half, with Bakayoko nearly adding a second when his effort was tipped over by Grabara.
Wolfsburg emerged with renewed purpose after the restart. The home side created several clear chances as they pressed for an equaliser.
Konstantinos Koulierakis should have done better when he headed straight at Gulácsi from close range, while Wind was denied by the crossbar after Gulácsi's fingertip save.
In the face of Wolfsburg's pressure, Leipzig were offered the chance to put the game to bed with a penalty award in the 90th minute after VAR review showed Joakim Mæhle had pushed Bakayoko. Baumgartner's spot-kick missed the target entirely, however.
The miss would matter little to Ole Werner's team, who moved up to third in the standings after their latest win.
Bakayoko proved the difference-maker with his clinical finish in the eighth minute. The Belgian winger not only scored the decisive goal but was a constant threat throughout the match, recording five shots – more than any other Leipzig player.
He was also the most pressed player on the pitch, drawing attention from Wolfsburg defenders 22 times and highlighting his importance to Leipzig's attack.
The 21-year-old's combination of pace, direct running and finishing ability earned him 301 Fantasy Manager points – the highest of any player in the match – and a deserved Player of the Match award.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Wolfsburg 2.86 - Leipzig 2.63
Fastest player: Adam Daghim (Wolfsburg), 35.18 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-1 by Bakayoko (Leipzig), 7.5 percent
Most pressed player: Bakayoko (Leipzig), 22 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Yan Diomande (Leipzig), +4.65
Fantasy Heroes: Bakayoko (Leipzig, 301 Points), Kamil Grabara (Wolfsburg, 248 Points), Amoura (Wolfsburg, 241 Points)