League

Shqiponja
Spectators: 8410 (Terracing: 6308, Seating: 1934, VIP seats: 168) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Andy Mersmann took the kick off in the first half of the match. The throw-in from Friedrich Hölderlin in the 3rd minute of the game was unfortunally taken care of by FFK Kosova's Geovanildo Ponta. After a rather tough play, RB Leipzig's Zarando Ruis got a free kick in the 5th minute. Joerg-Uwe Thau's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Salomon Kaloudis read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 7th minute of play. Lew Rampp fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 9th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Cecil Balla having to interfere. Simon Drechsler kicked well hit freekick during the 10th minute of the match. Cecil Balla made an important save on a dangerous shot by Lew Rampp in the 13th minute. After having played for 16 minutes, Şimşek Kako managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. RB Leipzig's supporters crossed their fingers, but Şimşek Kako was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 18th match minute, FFK Kosova was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Geovanildo Ponta to maneuver through the defense. Cecil Balla made a fantastic save in the 21st minute, when Andy Mersmann sent off a good shot on target. A well-hit corner resulted in Clemens Heineke heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. 25 minutes into the match, FFK Kosova's goal looked a bit too open when Joerg-Uwe Thau came free, but Salomon Kaloudis reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of RB Leipzig booed when FFK Kosova was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 28 match minutes in a wonderful position. Clemens Heineke didn't get a good kick on the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 29th minute, Godo Schirp managed to get in a good position for a shot. RB Leipzig's supporters rose to their feet, but Godo Schirp was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Salomon Kaloudis breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Joerg-Uwe Thau in the 32nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Salomon Kaloudis prevented the ball from getting in the gole. RB Leipzig were awarded a corner in the 33th minute after FFK Kosova's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Godo Schirp took the corner. Andy Mersmann could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 35th minute of the match, but Cecil Balla made a huge save. After a defensive mix-up in FFK Kosova's zone, Joerg-Uwe Thau stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Salomon Kaloudis came out of the goal and Joerg-Uwe Thau tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. FFK Kosova were furious when Ladi J.J. was red carded, 38 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. In a very dangerous position, a player in FFK Kosova fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 38th minute. Penalty! Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Andy Mersmann in the 43rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Cecil Balla prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After the first half RB Leipzig were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Joerg-Uwe Thau was the one to do the kick off. Joerg-Uwe Thau's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 52ndth minute, Salomon Kaloudis skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. With a little luck, FFK Kosova's Salomon Kaloudis got control of the ball when Joerg-Uwe Thau tried to sneak it across the goal line. A collision led to FFK Kosova getting a freekick after 55 minutes play. Clemens Heineke hit a great ball. In the 57thth minute of the game Andy Mersmann who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but RB Leipzig's Cecil Balla was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 60th match minute, RB Leipzig was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Adem Akova to maneuver through the defense. RB Leipzig's Cecil Balla played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Geovanildo Ponta in the 62nd minute of play. Geovanildo Ponta received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 67th minute. Cecil Balla tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. RB Leipzig's Joerg-Uwe Thau got a good chance for a goal in the 69th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Cecil Balla showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Geovanildo Ponta, who was totally free with the ball in the 78th minute. Şimşek Kako's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Salomon Kaloudis firmly grabbed it by the left post. Joerg-Uwe Thau received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Salomon Kaloudis came out and tried to block the shot, but Joerg-Uwe Thau slotted it home off the left post making it 0-2 in the 83rd minute. The supporters of FFK Kosova booed when RB Leipzig was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 85 match minutes in a wonderful position. Zarando Ruis didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 89 played minutes FFK Kosova got a freekick which was hit by Nasko Tarinski. RB Leipzig's Godo Schirp shoveled away a really nice long shot in the 90th minute of play. The shot was stopped by Salomon Kaloudis but with some difficulty. Salomon Kaloudis made an important save on a dangerous shot by Şimşek Kako in the 94th minute. RB Leipzig's Cecil Balla played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Geovanildo Ponta in the 95th minute of play. In the 97th minute of the match FFK Kosova got a corner. RB Leipzig's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Geovanildo Ponta ran over to the corner to take the kick. The RB Leipzig supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing RB Leipzig would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.