RB Leipzig defeats Bayer Leverkusen in a thrilling duel

Lois Openda gleefully took a winner's selfie on the pitch of Bayer Leverkusen, who are no longer invincible, and Xavi Simons wanted to hug the whole world. "That's more than three points," said the RB Leipzig playmaker after the 3:2 win at the champions and cup winners. "I'm so proud of the team, but we can't rest now. Let's keep going."

In Leipzig, they could now have invincible victors printed on T-shirts, after all, they gave the double winners back an almost forgotten feeling after 35 matchdays in the Bundesliga. Openda's two goals - courtesy of Bayer goalkeeper Matej Kovar - could be celebrated as match-winners, but that would undermine the strong team performance.

Kampl praises willpower

Coach Marco Rose surprisingly switched to a back three with 19-year-old El Chadaille Bitshiabu as the central defender in possession. That rarely worked in the first half, with Leverkusen only leading 2-0. "There were also situations that we were very lucky to survive," said sporting director Rouven Schröder diplomatically. And then added the decisive sentence: "Nevertheless, we knew that we could strike - that's what kept us alive."

Kevin Kampl's equalizer in first-half stoppage time can be seen as a crucial moment. In a positive sense, especially for Leipzig's psyche. "We believed we could turn the 0:2 around. The fact that it worked out was down to great determination," said the goalscorer. "We knew it would be extremely difficult to win here. Because what Leverkusen play is exceptional."

"Incredible potential"

Leverkusen were above all exceptional at missing chances and the new Leipzig defense without captain Willi Orban, who was suspended for red, became more confident and better with every minute. In the end, the win was actually worth more than three points: Starting a top match without their defensive leader, going 2-0 down against an overpowering opponent, losing coach Marco Rose to a yellow card after half an hour - and still coming out on top in the end.

The team can draw on this for the next few weeks. And unlike in previous seasons, they are in an excellent position after two matchdays with six points and are not chasing their own ambitions. "That simply gives us a good feeling, especially for the many new and young players. It's also a sign: We have to believe in ourselves, because we have incredible potential," said Schröder.

Rose vows improvement

Not just potential, but already a certain maturity. That was particularly evident in the final phase, which was defended away in a largely calm manner. This level-headedness is something that coach Rose would also like to see. The 47-year-old had already been shown a yellow card after complaining about a harmless foul on Openda, but simply did not stop grumbling. Now Rose will have to watch from the stands for the next match against Union Berlin (September 14).

"Some may say that Rose is unteachable. But I also say that I didn't hit anyone or anything," Rose said on ZDF. Nevertheless, he saw the decision as the right one: "That's clearly on me." The coach vowed to do better - and not for the first time. Last season, Rose had already had to sit out Heidenheim after receiving four yellow cards. He will have to be measured by his words.