#Pereas #volley #seals #Leipzigs #exit #Real #strong
RB Leipzig lost 2-0 to Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the Youth League. The Whites dominated the game for 90 minutes, with Cristian Perea’s dream goal putting the finishing touches.
Too late: Leipzig’s Pepe Böhm can no longer prevent Real’s Gonzalo Garcia from making it 1-0. Getty Images
In the Youth League play-offs, RB Leipzig had escaped into a last-minute penalty shoot-out in a dramatic game against FC Midtjylland and emerged victorious. Now the Saxons faced the difficult task of Real Madrid in the round of 16. And coach Sebastian Heidinger had to completely rebuild his usual back four due to suspensions and injuries.
Really dominant without shining
Both teams started extremely cautiously at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, where the Real professionals also played during the renovation of the Bernabeus. The Whites dominated the game with the ball without developing much forward momentum. Leipzig defended in a disciplined 4-4-2, but was hardly able to go on the offensive. So nothing happened for a long time.
Youth League, round of 16
The first shot on goal of the game was right away: Perez had sent Garcia on his way, who scored alone in front of Schlieck to make it 1-0 (24th). Cristian Perea could have extended the lead after a one-two, but was denied by the RB keeper in the short corner (33′). Leipzig also had opportunities afterwards: Bayindir first fired a volley just to the left (36′), then later shot past the goal to the right (45’+1). So we went into the break with a deserved lead for dominant Madrilenians, who didn’t do more than they had to.
Leipzig’s pressure phase after an hour
At the beginning of the second half the same picture emerged: Real were better without being dangerous. It was only after a good hour that the Saxons got into the game better: Masanka Bungi set up a great set-up for Eduardo, who only missed by centimeters (60′). And Jatta had the best opportunity for RB, but an assist from Bayindir was denied by keeper Quetglas in the short corner (64′).
It was a brief high for Leipzig, then the Royals took command again. Bravo first failed to receive the ball after a great pass from the outstanding Perez (75th), then a minute later Schlieck prevented the Leverkusen loanee from making it 2-0 with a huge reflex. Finally, Cristian Perea made the decision – and with a dream goal: Dani Maso hit a corner from the left to the edge of the penalty area, where Perea volleyed the ball over the right inside post and into the net (81′).
Real will face Milan in the quarter-finals
Not much happened after that, a chance from substitute Fortuny was thwarted by Schlieck in the near corner (87′). It was then clear that Leipzig would be eliminated in the round of 16 of the Youth League. The Royal team deservedly prevailed and will now face AC Milan in the quarter-finals (March 13th).
Leipzig, on the other hand, missed following the other German round of 16 teams Mainz (2-1 against Manchester City) and Bayern Munich (3-2 against Feyenoord Rotterdam) into the last eight. The Saxons can now concentrate on the U-19 Bundesliga, where they are already twelve points behind league leaders Hertha BSC in the North/Northeast season.
