Leipzig's Debut for Werner Successfully Salvaged by Banzuzi and Simons' Heroics - Goals at the last minute: Banzuzi and Simons salvage Werner's Leipzig debut with winning strikes
In a thrilling DFB-Pokals match, RB Leipzig secured their passage to the next round with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over SV Sandhausen. The match, played at SV Sandhausen, saw RB Leipzig's highly-rated youngster, Xavi Simons, play a pivotal role.
The game started on a challenging note for Leipzig, as SV Sandhausen took the lead twice in the first half. Leon Ampadu (3rd) and Jahn Herrmann (18th) scored for the home team, putting Leipzig on the back foot. However, Leipzig managed to rally back, thanks in part to Xavi Simons' influence.
Yan Diomande equalised for Leipzig in the 6th minute, and Willi Orban scored in the 23rd to give Leipzig the lead. The match remained tight until the late stages, when Ezechiel Banzuzi scored in the 79th minute to extend Leipzig's lead.
In the final moments of the game, Simons scored a decisive goal in injury time, effectively sealing the win for Leipzig. His overall impact was highlighted by his involvement in both scoring and creating goals, demonstrating his attacking quality and influence on the field.
Looking ahead to the Bundesliga opener versus FC Bayern Munich on Friday, RB Leipzig’s new coach, Ole Werner, is expected to maintain a similar lineup to the one that defeated Sandhausen, with Simons named in the starting XI. This signals the coach's trust in Simons' abilities and the crucial role he is expected to play in the challenging season opener at the Allianz Arena.
The Bundesliga opener will be broadcast on Sat.1 and Sky, providing football fans with the opportunity to witness Simons' promising talent as he takes on one of Germany's top teams. With ongoing transfer interest from Chelsea, Simons' performance will undoubtedly be under the spotlight as he looks to make his mark in the Bundesliga.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4]
Despite the ongoing discussions about a directive on the protection of workers from carcinogens across European leagues [Source 1], football fans eagerly await the Bundesliga opener between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Munich this weekend [Source 4]. An integral part of Leipzig's team, Xavi Simons, who demonstrated his prowess in the recent DFB-Pokals match [Source 2], will be under close scrutiny as he faces one of Germany's top teams, having been linked with a move to Chelsea [Source 3].
