Bundesliga soccer club Rasenballsport Leipzig made it into the round of 16 of the Champions League for the third time. Coach Marco Rose’s Saxons defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 (1-0) on the last day of the preliminary round in Warsaw, Poland. With a total of twelve points, the German cup winner secured second place in group F of the preliminary round behind the defending champions Real Madrid. The goals for Leipzig were scored by Christopher Nkunku (10th minute), André Silva (50th), Dominik Szoboszlai (62nd) and Dani Olmo (68′).
RB is concerned about the condition of national player Timo Werner. The striker was injured and had to be substituted three weeks before the World Cup in Qatar with a left ankle injury. According to the club, the 26-year-old complained of pain in his foot after Donetsk captain Taras Stepanenko fouled him in the 14th minute of the game. More detailed examinations are to be carried out on Thursday in the hospital in Leipzig.
Before the game, there were unnecessary scenes at the entrance to the guest block. Leipzig fans criticized what they saw as tough admission controls, wrote on Twitter that women almost had to undress and minors “were touched intimately without cause”. The club confirmed this on Wednesday at the request of the DPA news agency. As a consequence, the active fan scene decided to dismantle the planned choreography. In addition, the fan banners were hung upside down as a sign of protest.
BVB already secured their ticket for the round of 16 from the last day of the group stage. Dortmund will play this Wednesday at 9 p.m. at FC Copenhagen (here in the stern live ticker).
German representatives Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt have also qualified for the round of 16. Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, were eliminated in the premier class, but can continue playing in the Europa League. The round of 16 matches in the Champions League will be drawn next Monday at 12 noon.
