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Leipzig's Šeško scored the goal to make it 1-0 - but the goal didn't count

Photo: Robert Michael / dpa

RB Leipzig missed a surprise at the start of the knockout phase of the Champions League. The Bundesliga club lost 0-1 (0-0) in the first leg of the round of 16 against Real Madrid. Brahim Díaz scored the goal for the away win for the eight-time Champions League winners in the 49th minute. The second leg will take place on March 6th in Madrid.

The game started with an extremely questionable offside decision. Leipzig's Benjamin Šeško had headed the ball into the goal after a shot, but because Benjamin Henrichs, who was offside, was said to have hindered Real's goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, the goal in the second minute did not count. Henrichs had touched the keeper gently on the back, but didn't really intervene in the game. Although the video assistant checked the scene again, referee Irfan Peljto from Bosnia-Herzegovina stuck to his decision.

Leipzig did not let the disappointing Bundesliga start to 2024 show. Against the Spanish league leaders, coach Marco Rose's selection played courageously forward at times, but without creating any great chances. At Real Madrid, the possible DFB returnee Toni Kroos tried to direct the game, but the Royal team also failed to score.

That changed in the second half when Real's Brahim Díaz made a remarkable individual move. The Spaniard went around several opponents and shot the ball from a good 15 meters into the left corner of the goal – 0-1 (49th minute).

Afterwards, a similar picture emerged as in the first half: Leipzig tried hard, but rarely put Real in danger. The Madrilenians now increasingly tried to get in front of the goal through counterattacks. This almost made it 2-0 in the 72nd minute when Carlo Ancelotti's team switched quickly and Vinicius Junior hit the post.

In the final phase, RB turned things up again. Šeško had the best chance to equalize in the 82nd minute. Goalkeeper Lunin was able to save his shot at the near corner with a reflex. Shortly afterwards, the now outstanding Ukrainian goalkeeper was there to respond to a long-range shot from Amadou Haidara. The score was no longer 1-1.

Jan