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With his first ever goal for RB Leipzig, Alexander Sörloth kept his team in the Champions League race.
The Norwegian scored the important 4: 3 at Istanbul Basaksehir in stoppage time.
This means that the team of coach Julian Nagelsmann will have their final against Manchester United next Tuesday for a place in the knockout round.
"We now have our final against Manchester, which we really wanted to achieve," said Nagelsmann.
Yussuf Poulsen (26th minute) and Nordi Mukiele (43rd) deservedly brought the dominant Saxons into the lead.
Basaksehir shortened through Irfan Can Kahveci (45th + 3) after a set piece.
In an urgent phase of the Turks, Dani Olmo (66th) increased, before Kahveci scored again in the 73rd only to connect and in the 85th minute to equalize.
Then came Sörloth's appearance.
Between the two highlights in the premier class, Leipzig has to compete at Bayern Munich on Saturday.
Three days before the Bundesliga summit, Nagelsmann sent his currently strongest team onto the field.
Crazy final phase in Istanbul
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“Our job here is to really put pressure on,” said Nagelsmann shortly before kick-off.
And his players obeyed.
Forsberg (3rd) should have scored with his attempt from eleven meters, but shot past.
A minute later, Istanbul goalkeeper Mert Günok stood out with a header from Mukiele.
Poulsen's (12th) volley also defused Günok.
Leipzig plays only a draw against Basaksehir and has to tremble for the Champions League round of 16
Source: AFP / OZAN KOSE
After other missed opportunities, the Leipzig tour was a coincidence.
Sabitzer's shot from a good 20 meters flickered back and forth between Istanbul defense chief Martin Skrtel and Poulsen and finally went unsustainable in the goal from the Danish international.
Leipzig continued to dominate the game with a lot of possession and aggressive counter-pressing and followed suit: Forsberg put the ball across the penalty area, Mukiele deliberately pushed against the direction of the goalkeeper.
Leipzig screwed up the strong half-time with a sleep insert in stoppage time.
After a corner, Kahveci was completely free on the edge of the box and scored to connect.
Olmo increased for Leipzig.
After Angeliño's pass, the Spanish international danced his opponent in the penalty area and executed with a heavy shot in the short corner.
Istanbul did not give up - and again Kahveci was given too much space.
Gulacsi had no chance with his flick from 18 meters.
Then Kahveci seemed to destroy all RB hopes with his third goal from a free kick.
In the 90th minute, Leipzig was unlucky when the ball hit Sörloth's head against the crossbar.
A little later he did better.
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