RB Leipzig reached the eighth round of the Champions League for the second time in a row. Despite a 3-0 lead against ManUnited, things got even more exciting in the end.
RB Leipzig can dream of further successes in the Champions League after a prestigious victory on Europe’s big football stage. The team of coach Julian Nagelsmann won the final group game against Manchester United on Tuesday, mainly thanks to a convincing first half 3-2 (2-0) and moved into the quarter-finals of the top class for the second time – although the Leipzig team still had to tremble in the end.
“It was a very intense final phase,” Nagelsmann told Sky. “We played a good game over a long distance. The boys are machines, they showed that again today.”RB also took revenge for Manchester’s highest ever defeat to the Saxons at 0-5 in Old Trafford at the end of October.
The Red Devils must continue their European Cup season in the Europa League.
Decision postponed for group victory after racism
Whether RB as group winner tackles the knockout round was still open after the end of the game. Group H’s parallel match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir had been interrupted due to an alleged racist statement by the Fourth Official from Romania. If the French won, Leipzig would be second.
The outstanding Spaniard Angelino (2nd) and Amadou Haidara (13th) ensured the reassuring leadership for the Leipzig riders early on, who needed a victory for their safe progress. Justin Kluivert (69.). For United, however, Bruno Fernandes (80th) scored by foulelfmeter and Paul Pogba (82nd).
Nagelsmann was forced to change his defenses against the English record champion, while Willi Orban played for the yellow-blocked Dayot Upamecano. The Hungarian international convinced. Kevin Kampl and Dani Olmo also returned to the starting eleven.