RB Leipzig - Real Madrid summary: score, goals & highlights, Champions League
RB Leipzig - Real Madrid: as it happened
That's all, folks!
Let's leave it there. Thanks for joining and make sure to check out the rest of the Champions League action.
Joe
Ancelotti post-game:
It's like that here. It's tough. It was a competitive game but we were in it. We could've done better but there are positive aspects. The centre-backs were good and the centre-midfielders did their job well.
They had chances to score, Lunin had a good game. It was [probably his best game]. He is progressing and is gaining confidence.
It was a good goal. Our idea was to be solid and we managed it well after the game, we were dangerous on the break, it was a complete game but it's only a small advantage.
There are still 90 minutes to go. It will be different.
Lunin could well have won the MVP award
The goalkeeper was, for me, Real Madrid's standout player across the 90 minutes.
Cargando...
Brahim takes MVP award
The Málaga man is the rightful winner of the award, thanks to that sensational goal.
Cargando...
In the end, Madrid won the xG battle
Vini Jr hit the post and Rodrygo came close on a couple of occasions, but Leipzig also had their fair share.
Cargando...
The Real Madrid star was substituted towards the end of his side's Champions League first leg clash with RB Leipzig.
Brahim post-game:
I'm very happy with the goal but most of all the win.
We miss Jude and Rüdiger, but we're Real Madrid.
I don't know about the injury right now, honestly. We'll see tomorrow.
We had chances, so did they. We could've dominated more but we'll do it tomorrow.
I get the ball, spin around and see they're scared to come at me, so I stuck it in the net. It was instinct.
Full-time thoughts:
An extremely fortunate Real Madrid had the football gods shine down on them as they came away from a nightmare game against RB Leipzig with a slim win.
The home side started off brightly, putting Madrid under asphyxiating pressure all across the pitch. Ancelotti's side failed simple passes and could not get comfortable at any moment, with shots peppering Lunin - who was fantastic all game - from the off.
The first half came and went in the blink of an eye but it was not without controversy, as a goal for RB Leipzig was ruled out for no clear reason, the most likely conclusion being a foul on Lunin as the ball was played into the box, but in any case it was a strange decision.
After the break, Madrid came out strongly and Brahim epitomised the change in the side, scoring what was perhaps Madrid's best goal all season, weaving his way through a thousand tackles before sending the ball into the far corner and the crowd into disbelief.
From then on, RB Leipzig did not stop attacking, but the cushion gave Madrid the room to begin to control the ball in the middle third, and players such as Camavinga and Toni Kroos were the pair of lungs in the middle, providing much-needed moments of oxygen as the team eventually saw out the result that they can take to the Bernabéu for the second leg.
FULL-TIME!
Somehow Real Madrid take a slim lead back to the Bernabéu.
A little more controlled possession from Madrid shaves off 45 seconds on the clock...
Madrid play short and work the ball back towards halfway as we enter the final 60 seconds.
Real Madrid win a welcome corner as Vinicius drives forward before seeing his shot blocked wide.
Madrid are doing well to keep the ball and run down the clock. They've not got any other choice, as Leipzig still have the energy to go full speed at their defence.
4 added minutes.
Leipzig change:
OFF: Schalger
ON: Kampl
Valverde goes in twice, first on Xavi and then on Orban, and wins the ball on both occasions. Superb defending from the Uruguayan on halfway.
Tensions are running high from the crowd as Vinicius is brought down before Tchouaméni goes to ground. The referee stops play and gives Madrid the free-kick, which they don't want to rush.
Haidara hit a dipping volley from the edge of the box and Lunin parried away superbly well!
LUNIN SAVES AGAIN
Madrid changes:
OFF: Brahim, Rodrygo
ON: Lucas, Joselu
Real Madrid are furious that play was allowed to continue with the forward writhing in pain on the turf.
Brahim is down injured.
Sesko is played in behind, down the right channel. The striker draws back his leg and fires a rocket that Lunin gets a huge hand to!
SAVE FROM LUNIN
Xavi Simons keeps the ball in the air, flicking over the head of Kroos before smashing a volley at the goalkeeper from distance.
LUNIN SAVES ANOTHER GOLDEN CHANCE TO SCORE
Close from Leipzig as the ball rolls across the face of goal with all the red and white shirts betting on contact at the front post. Nobody was there and Marco Rose throws his hands into the air in anger.
Real Madrid are doing well to keep the ball as we enter into the final 10 minutes of the game. It's Camavinga and Kroos at the centre of things and I have to say it again: the Frenchman has been superb in the second half.
Camavinga, as he did in the first half, does well to drive away with the ball and drag Madrid up the pitch. He's taken out by Elmas, but it's a fantastic move from the Frenchman.
Leipzig make changes:
OFF: Olmo, Henrichs
ON: Elmas, Haidara
Leipzig seem to have found their wiiiings as we move into the final 15 minutes.
Real Madrid counter at pace with Brahim, who plays left to Vinicius. The winger darts inside and comes back onto his left before poking a low shot towards the far post that rolls agonisingly onto the post before being cleared away.
VINICIUS OFF THE POST!!!!!!
Twenty to go... there's still only one goal in this.
The game has just turned a little scrappy over the past few minutes, with small fouls becoming more frequent from both sides as tiredness creeps in.
Somebody's watching...
Jude has had his say on the only goal of the game so far.
Cargando...
Vini sees his shot blocked wide but Real Madrid's counter attack - led by Camavinga - was promising. Good work again from Ancelotti's side.
Carvajal is booked for bringing down Xavi Simons.
It's Real Madrid who take a page out the Red Bull handbook, drinking their energy drink and winning the ball high up the pitch.
Vini slides the ball right towards Rodrygo but the winger smashes the ball high and wide of Gulasci in goal.
RODRYGO OVER THE BAR!!!
The ball is sent on the end of a laser through the Madrid defence and Lunin gets out to slide in and clear away, but it falls to a Leipzig player.
The home side come again and Olmo rushes the chance he has to send the ball across goal, instead swiping at the ball and watching it fly past the near post.
HUGE MISS FROM LEIPZIG
SAVE FROM LUNIN
Lunin punches away a cross from Raum, which was entirely necessary as Olmo was sniffing around. Again, the space behind Carvajal is enticing for the full-back, like chum for a shark.
Schalger intercepts Vini Jr's pass across the edge of the box as the winger once again finds space after a mazy run down the wing. One gets the feeling that the winger is beginning to enjoy himself against Simakan, who has been booked.
Vini Jr overruns the ball in the end but it's a dangerous attack again from Ancelotti's team, who all of a sudden have found their mojo.
A big, crunching tackle from Camavinga on the edge of the box halts Henrichs as he shapes to shoot, and Real Madrid attack.
Brahim slides the ball forward towards Brahim but the Brazilian's run is well covered.
The Real Madrid fizz is back as Valverde gets in behind the home defence before cutting back towards Brahim, who can't get there before Raum.
Right-back Simakan is booked for a shove on Carvajal.
We're back underway and Carvajal is on the floor holding his mouth.
Brahim takes the ball on the right wing and spins on his heels, skipping past a challenge on the sideline.
He worms his way inside, wriggling past another two challenges before opening his body, drawing back his left foot, covering it in gold and angelically pushes the ball into the far corner with all the love and beauty of a baby turtle being released into the sea by a small child.
WHAT A SIMPLY STUNNING GOAL
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL
WHAT A SENSATIONAL GOAL FROM BRAHIM
Lunin catches a cross from the right but once again, the movement is sending Nacho spinning and looking for his friends and family in the crowd.
A wasted chance for the home side, who attacked violently.
Madrid defend (just about) and counter all the way to the halfway line, where Brahim is crowded out.
Here come Leipzig, who win a corner after 37 seconds. A cross-field ball is headed behind by Carvajal as Raum got in behind.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY!
Real Madrid, who need a huge reaction, get us going.
The Leipzig players are out!
No changes from the home side as we wait on Ancelotti's team to emerge from the dressing room.
We've got Roddy covering the equally exciting Copenhagen - Man City game, which is currently at 1-2 in favour of the English side.
'Until the end!'
Real Madrid's Twitter is trying to a) keep the faith and b) manifest that win
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An explanation on the disallowed goal
I'm hearing that the goal was ruled out for an apparent foul on Lunin from Henrichs, although I've seen both still and moving images and I cannot fathom how the referee has decided that there is a foul from the player on Madrid's goalkeeper. A very strange one indeed.
Can Rodrygo get things back on track?
The winger has had a few half chances to score, but I feel it will take a change from the whole team in order to get things back in working order today.
Cargando...
Half-time thoughts:
Somehow Real Madrid are not one, two, three goals behind at the break.
They have survived an onslaught, a pasting, an absolutely surgical dissection of their side from minute one and all eleven players go into the dressing room with their shirts on backwards and their boots tied together.
RB Leipzig's tactics of direct, fast-flowing football mixed with ultra-high possession is straight from the Red Bull recipe book, but they've drank plenty of cans of the stuff and are executing the ideology to perfection.
Chance after chance has come from the home side and they should, if we're honest, be up despite the chances missed, as they had an early goal ruled out for an apparent offside. Or maybe a foul. Or maybe... I don't know why.
HALF-TIME!
Ancelotti is not a happy bunny rabbit as he makes his way down the tunnel.
1 added minute.
Brahim squirms in between two defenders on Madrid's right and clips a pass in towards Vinicius, who smashes the shot well wide of the near post.
Vinicius tries to go all the way, running from inside his own half down the left wing. It's a superb tackle from Klostermann, who does not make a mistake as the winger gets into the box.
Leipzig attack and Tchouaméni makes a life-saving tackle inside the box on Sesko. The striker was in and alone in front of goal...
LEIPZIG CHANCE!
TCHOUAMÉNI SAVES MADRID
Rodrygo is inches away from making contact with his head as Vini sends the ball in from the left. Dangerous from Madrid.
Camavinga has taken on an important role in Madrid's side for this game. He's the one, apart from Kroos, who is taking responsibility of keeping the ball for the away side.
The difference between the two is that the Frenchman is doing so through dribbles, while Kroos is maintaining possession through his position in the midfield.
Real Madrid are having their longest - if not their most comfortable - spell of possession so far as we enter the final 5 minutes of the half.
If poor Nacho gets pressed anymore by these strikers he'll be sent back to Spain in an envelope.
Madrid work the ball well from left to right and Fede drives inside on the edge of the box.
Leipzig get back well and he can't thread a pass through the lines, when perhaps he should have gone for goal.
The cross from Henrichs is terrible and spinning away from goal and Openda, who was all on his own in front of goal after another lightning-fast turnover.
CHANCE FOR LEIPZIG
We're over half an hour in and Real Madrid have just about worked their way back into this, although they do not look like the side most likely to score.
Back underway. All OK.
Simons is still down, receiving treatment.
Simons is down and Carvajal thinks he got the ball in the 50/50, which he didn't.
Madrid just about survive through pure numbers once again.
Xavi Simons looks to be on his own on the left of the box as the cross finds him at the back post. The black shirts race back and crowd out the area in front of Lunin, forcing the midfielder back.
Brahim spins on the edge of the box and fires a shot towards the head of Klostermann, who takes one in the face.
Openda can't get a shot away and Kroos goes down in the ensuing madness on the edge of the box, giving his side a breather.
RB Leipzig came forward strong with Raum on the left, who was in behind Carvajal and saw his cross cleared by Tchouaméni.
Again, it's scrambled eggs from Real Madrid, who look seasick.
Rodrygo's shot is weak thanks to good defending from Raum, who was touch tight as the winger came sprinting towards the penalty spot to get on the end of Vini Jr's cross.
That's more like it from Real Madrid, who begin to remember that they too can kick the ball to their friends. Kroos spreads wide to Vinicius who plays inside to Rodrygo, but the Beazilian sees his effort well blocked.
Sesko fires into the side netting from the right but the movement from the players in white is sending Real Madrid heads spinning time and time again.
CHANCE FOR LEIPZIG
Kroos tries his luck from distance but see his chance saved. Frustration.
A long ball out to the right is controlled by Simakan who sends down the line to Olmo. The Leipzig midfielder goes up against Camavinga but he loses out again on the edge of the box.
Carvajal is lucky not to get a blue card after he takes out Xavi Simons who races away on the counter attack. I'm just preparing you, reader. It's the future.
Kids, look away, this is not a game for young eyes. Real Madrid are tripping over invisible wire and ice sheets that appear out of nowhere. Henrichs wins the ball from a poor pass out from the back by Tchouaméni and he tries his luck from distance, which hits Lunin.
Camavinga gets a vital foot in as Olmo squirms and worms down the right. Another top opportunity for the home side.
Even Toni Kroos is misplacing passes. The German tries a daisy-cutter out to the left but it hits Olmo just a few yards away...
Nacho clears the ball from close to the corner flag but for some reason he aims the long ball towards the central channel, where it's immediately intercepted. It's simply suicidal play from the captain, who gets off lightly as Lunin catches the cross.
The home side have definitely, erm, had their energy drinks before kick-off.
Bam, bam, bam, Leipzig tear through Real Madrid and Sesko's low shot is saved by Lunin.
The ultra-direct play from the home side has Real Madrid looking like they're playing in jeans and flip-flops.
CHANCE FOR LEIPZIG
Brahim's cross is low from the right and Camavinga's contact isn't ideal as it rolls towards Gulasci, who gets down well.
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Madrid come again and Rodrygo's cross from the right goes out for a corner.
Madrid get their first chance to attack and Rodrygo squirms through the middle before seeing a weak shot deflected into the grasp of Gulasci.
I've had around 100 looks at the replay of the "offside" goal, but I cannot work out why it was ruled out.
OK, I've had a chance to breathe as Rose's side keep the ball calmly in their own half. Xavi Simons takes it down the left and tries to send Openda in, but Carvajal covers well.
Madrid have started terribly here... Sesko chips over the defence and the ball lands in Lunin's hands but three Leipzig players are inches from getting a touch!
ANOTHER HUGE CHANCE FOR RB LEIPZIG!!!!
Offside is given. I think. Nobody knows why the goal was ruled out.
VAR are taking a look as the replay shows there is no offside...
The Germans have the ball in the net after a shocking moment of defending from the away side. The ball was sent back into the box from a corner and it was headed over Lunin and into the net from close range!
OFFSIDE!!!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL
LEIPZIG SCORE!!!!!!
It's a back four from the home side, who go with a 4-2-2-2.
Madrid win the ball back and woof, the noose tightens around the black shirts, who are immediately squeezed back.
And we're off!
It is indeed the home team, in their customary red and white, who get us rolling from right to left.
It looks like RB Leipzig have won the coin toss, but I don't have my telescope with me, so let's see...
Here we go!
The Chaaaaaaaampiioooooooooonnssssssss rings out around the stadium that is almost shaking with the raucous atmosphere!
The players are in the tunnel!
We're almost ready for kick-off!
Is Toni Kroos going to stay?
A player, I think, must leave when they are at the top. This year he can be up there, or next year, I don’t know, because his performances have always been good.
He has never had highs or lows. But everyone must stop, as a coach too, at the top of their career.
I always tell the truth, and I just don’t know. I’m thinking about what to do, but I haven’t decided anything. I’m glad that a lot of people want me to play one more year, that’s positive, rather than the other way around (laughs). I haven’t made the decision
I will take [the decision] when I feel ready or I have it clear in my mind” he continued, “on the pitch I am not worried. It’s an important decision but I’m so happy with what I’ve achieved that I’m not worried about it at all.
A final reminder of the two teams:
RB LEIPZIG
GK: Gulasci
DEF: Simakan - Klostermann - Orbán - Raum
MID: Henrichs - Schalger - Olmo - Xavi
ATT: Sesko - Openda
REAL MADRID
GK: Lunin
DEF: Carvajal - Tchouaméni - Nacho - Mendy
MID: Kroos - Valverde - Camavinga - Brahim
ATT: Rodrygo - Vini Jr
TEN MINUTES TO GO!
We've had plenty of votes on our poll and there's one clear winner according to the fans: Real Madrid are going to take a positive result back to the Bernabéu. Let's see if you're right, Madridistas!
Cargando...
Anna Szilagyi / EFE
Who is the Leipzig manager?
Marco Rose is the man in charge of RB Leipzig. The former defender has been in charge since 2022; before that he was the manager of Borussia Dortmund where he took them to a second-place finish, although he lasted just one season.
Here's how Madrid's group looked at the end...
Real Madrid finished off the group with 18 points from 18 and a fantastic surge of confidence as they overcame a potentially tricky group.
They scored 16 and conceded 7 in Group C, a record which saw them shoot to the top and never look like dropping off.
| group G | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
Real Madrid vs Leipzig, Napoli vs Barcelona, Copenhagen vs Man City... All eyes on a quarter-final berth in European football’s most coveted tournament.
City top squad value table
Here's how things look in terms of the battle of squad value for the teams in the Champions League.
Unsurprisingly, City top the pile with Arsenal not far behind. Real Madrid and Bayern make up the top 5 along with Barcelona.
Cargando...
A reminder of the starting XIs:
Here's how the two teams line up today:
RB LEIPZIG
GK: Gulasci
DEF: Simakan - Klostermann - Orbán - Raum
MID: Henrichs - Schalger - Olmo - Xavi
ATT: Sesko - Openda
REAL MADRID
GK: Lunin
DEF: Carvajal - Tchouaméni - Nacho - Mendy
MID: Kroos - Valverde - Camavinga - Brahim
ATT: Rodrygo - Vini Jr
Real Madrid step onto the pitch
Los Blancos have stepped out onto the pitch for their warmup routine ahead of kick-off, and the noise from the fans is incredible!
Focussed faces from Real Madrid
Ancelotti has spoken a lot about being 'concentrated' and 'humble' on the pitch - the faces of Madrid's players ahead of kick-off certainly mirrors his words!
Cargando...
JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA / DIARIO AS
Real Madrid's centre-back crisis
Real Madrid, as mentioned earlier, have a huge issue at centre-back, with literally everyone missing except Nacho.
We’ve seen Aurelien Tchouaméni drop back from midfield and we’ve even had Dani Carvajal slide over from the right side to cover, pushing Carlo Ancelotti’s squad to the max in terms of flexibility.
Today we've got Nacho back in the side, meaning Carvajal can play in his favoured role, but it's still a less-than-idea situation for Ancelotti and his staff, not to mention how it affects things on the pitch.
Real Madrid in all black
Los Blancos are Los Negros tonight, as they will sport their black third kit for the game.
"Also called "Los blancos suit", the new 23/24 Third Jerseys own a classic style to show why they are the kings of Europe. Its golden details played on a black canvas in a luxurious way", say Real Madrid - and who are we to disagree with that.
Cargando...
Carlo Ancelotti pre-game:
I didn't want to change much, we did well last time.
It will be a tough game and we have to concentrate from the start and defend well, as well as play to our strengths.
We all need to be humble. The front three are dangerous in transition but we all need to drop to defend.
We will have to struggle at some point, and we will have to have a compact block and manage the ball well when we have it, as well as reduce mistakes that let them transition.
I want to play effective football, possession is good in order to manage the game. But you have to finish in the correct moment.
Real Madrid’s most recent win was an emphatic 4-0 crushing of title rivals Girona in LaLiga.
The Santiago Bernabéu witnessed one of the top performances in recent years as the side tore through their opponents, outclassing them in every area of the pitch.
Vinicius Jr was the star of the show, scoring once and setting up the other three goals; after the game Ancelotti called the winger “the best in the world”.
Get involved!
We've got a poll up and running on Twitter which you can vote on and have your say with the scoreline.
Cargando...
Real Madrid arrive!
Los Blancos have arrived at the RB Arena ahead of kick-off, where they will be looking to bring back a positive result to the Spanish capital for the second leg.
Cargando...
Another injury worry for Real Madrid is that of Jude Bellingham.
The Englishman has undoubtedly been a revelation for the side this season and is the club’s top scorer.
Who fills the gap has been a controversial question ever since he was seen with his ankle covered in ice, and the consensus ahead of today’s game has been to use Brahim, who has done well when called upon.
The ex-Málaga midfielder has been selected by Ancelotti and will play in the role behind Vini Jr and Rodrygo.
RB LEIPZIG XI:
It's a strong XI from Marco Rose, who sees Haidara miss out, as expected. The Mali midfielder does, however, make the bench.
Cargando...
Fidel has all the information you need to know on how to watch the German side take on the 14-time Champions League winners at Red Bull Arena.
Who to watch: RB Leipzig
Dani Olmo is Leipzig’s standout player, in my opinion.
The Spaniard is both a midfielder and a wide forward, and has been used by Marco Rose on the right for the majority of the season.
The player has, over the years, constantly been linked with both Real Madrid and Barcelona, however he’s not made the move just yet and continues to shine on German soil.
Here's how the stadium looks ahead of kick-off...
There are no fans in there just yet, but the ground is sure to be rumbling once they get to their seats!
Cargando...
Nicolò Campo / LightRocket via Getty Images
Who's the ref?
Irfan Peljto is the referee today, which is surely terrible news for your team. He’s taken charge of a few Champions League games this season, including Barcelona’s now famous loss to Shakhtar in Hamburg back in November.
REAL MADRID XI REVEALED
Lunin is given the green light over Kepa once again, while Carvajal is back at right-back. Tchouaméni and Nacho are in the middle with Mendy on the left.
We thought maybe Modric would ge the nod, but in the end manager Carlo Ancelotti has gone with Kroos, Valverde and Camavinga in the engine room.
Brahimsits just ahead of the three with Vini Jr and Rodrygo as the attackers.
Cargando...
RB Leipzig team news
Marco Rose doesn’t have too many injuries to deal with ahead of the tie, with
Amadou Haidara the only doubt ahead of the team news being released. The Mali midfielder was at AFCON with his national side, where they made the quarter-finals before losing to eventual winners, the Côte d’Ivoire.
Real Madrid team news
The usual suspects are out for Real Madrid, with Courtois, Militão and Alaba still out for the foreseeable.
Antonio Rüdiger also joins them to create a real centre-back crisis, as does Jude Bellingham, the top talisman for Los Blancos this season.
He’s out with an ankle sprain suffered against Girona and will be on the sidelines for around 2-3 weeks.
Welcome!
Hello and a warm welcome from Germany where we have a delightfully tasty Champions League tie for you today.
RB Leipzig host 14-time European champions Real Madrid in a tantalising game at the Red Bull Arena.
It’s Joe here to guide you through all the action as it unfolds, which should start in around an hour.