Sixth defeat: RB Leipzig is out

RB Leipzig can bury all hopes and stop counting. After the 2:3(1:1) against Aston Villa and the sixth defeat in the sixth game of the new Champions League, the Saxon Bundesliga club can no longer reach the next round. RB are seven points off 24th place, which still entitles them to take part in the play-offs, with just two games remaining.

After going behind early thanks to John McGinn's goal in the third minute, Lois Openda (27) equalized. Shortly after the break, the British side took the lead again, this time through Jhon Durán (52'), before Christoph Baumgartner equalized for the Saxons in front of 40,406 spectators. Ross Barkley then made the difference in the 85th minute, his shot deflected unstoppably off Lukas Klostermann.

First setback straight from the kick-off

After less than 180 seconds, coach Rose was already looking down in disbelief. The visitors' first chance was on target - thanks to Leipzig's carelessness. Captain Willi Orban gave Matty Cash too much space and time to get the ball to Ollie Watkins in the Leipzig penalty area. He in turn headed the ball to McGinn, who was practically free - RB keeper Peter Gulacsi was powerless. The visiting fans made their first audible noise. The RB supporters fell silent.

It was exactly the kind of setback that Leipzig did not need after a high with two competitive wins. Especially not in the already extremely complicated battle for a place in the next round of the Champions League.

"We've played ourselves into the situation," said Rose before the game: "We know that we need a win so that we still have the chance to slip into the next round somewhere in January with two more victories." The games at the Red Bull Arena against Sporting Lisbon and Sturm Graz are still to come in the new year - now just samples without value.

First RB equalizer thanks to world champion's help

It didn't get any better against Aston. After the strong performance against Eintracht Frankfurt in the cup, the second success in the championship at Holstein Kiel fell into the category of a work victory. At least the discussions about Rose after the weak phase were over.

RB came out of nowhere to equalize against the team in sixth place in the Premier League. Initiated by a 50-metre pass from Nicolas Seiwald's own half, assisted by Aston's Argentinian world champion goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who had rushed out of his box but failed to receive the ball. Openda had intercepted it earlier.

However, the equalizer did not provide Leipzig with any great momentum. Until the break, chances were few and far between, but the visitors at least managed to get in front of Gulacsi's goal once or twice. Just like after the break. And this time the RB keeper helped. Once again, the visitors were able to combine at will, but when Durán shot from over 25 meters, the Hungarian was too far in front of goal, no matter how hard he stretched, he couldn't get the ball.

However, Leipzig came back with a goal from Baumgartner - RB's second chance of the game - and Gulacsi also made a good save before he was powerless again. Barkley scored the winner.