Timo Werner starred for RB Leipzig at Hertha Berlin on Saturday, scoring twice in a comfortable 3-0 win for Ralf Rangnick’s side.
Goals: 0-1 Werner (7′), 0-2 Werner (53′), 0-3 Cunha (75′)
Leipzig came into the game on the back of a solid DFB Cup 2-0 victory against UEFA Champions League participants Hoffenheim in midweek, and they began at a frenetic pace in the capital. Werner forced Rune Jarstein into a save inside the first minute, but the Germany international was not to be denied moments later, as he bundled home a rebound, and only a last-ditch tackle from Niklas Stark prevented Hertha falling two goals behind shortly afterwards.
Vedad Ibisevic and Salomon Kalou wasted good chances to draw Hertha level, and they were made to pay dearly when Werner grabbed his second from close range after the restart. Leipzig’s star man should have netted a treble – Jarstein denied him with his legs – but the points were sealed with a quarter of an hour remaining when Brazilian youngster Matheus Cunha lashed home a third.
Match stats
- With six goals, Werner is the joint-leading German goalscorer in the league this season, alongside Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus.
- Bruma recorded his first assist of the campaign.
- Werner has scored ten Bundesliga braces, but is yet to score a hat-trick.
- Cunha’s goal meant Leipzig became the final team for whom a summer signing netted a Bundesliga goal in 2018/19.
- This fixture has produced 24 goals in the six meetings so far, meaning a goal ever 22.5 minutes of play.
- Leipzig boast the meanest defence in the Bundesliga, having only conceded nine times.
Line-ups
Hertha: Jarstein – Lazaro, Stark, Rekik, Plattenhardt (Dilrosun 59’) – Maier, Lustenberger – Kalou (Leckie 67’), Duda, Mittelstädt – Ibisevic (c) (Selke 59’)
Unused substitutes: Kraft, Darida, Dardai, Torunarigha
Absentees: Gersbeck (cruciate ligament), Kade (ankle), Torunarigha, Grujic (both fitness)
Coach: Pal Dardai
Leipzig: Gulacsi – Mukiele (Klostermann 46’), Orban (c), Konate, Saracchi – Sabitzer, Demme, Kampl (Laimer 83’), Bruma – Cunha, Werner (Poulsen 78’)
Unused substitutes: Mvogo, Upamecano, Poulsen, Ilsanker, Halstenberg
Absentees: Forsberg (groin)
Coach: Ralf Rangnick
As it happened
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