Xaver Schlager celebrates a rare sense of achievement
Photo:
APA/AFP
MWith his first Champions League goal, Xaver Schlager scored RB Leipzig’s 3-1 opening win in Bern. The ÖFB team player paved the way for the German Bundesliga club with a precise long-range shot to make it 2-1 (73′), and former Salzburg player Benjamin Sesko made the decision (92′). In the second opening game of the 2023/24 premier class, Milan and Newcastle United played out a goalless draw on Tuesday.
Especially for the Italians, who were clearly superior in the first half, it was two points lost. Rafael Leao missed one of the few clear scoring opportunities by opting for a Fersler trick. Newcastle only had one shot on goal.
Leipzig dominated the initial phase on Bern’s artificial turf at will, but failed to add to the lead after Mahamed Simakan (3rd) took the early lead. Meschak Elia completed a remarkable Swiss attack with the outside of his foot (33′). In doing so, he punished the guests’ increasing passivity. The fact that it took Schlager’s only second goal in Leipzig’s 39th competitive game was also due to the Albanian referee team, who denied Xavi Simmons a penalty. But after a corner, Schlager, lurking in the backcourt, struck with a touchdown into the right corner. And Sesko secured the final score on the counterattack in stoppage time.
