Werner fires Leipzig to victory against Mainz

RB Leipzig are level on points with FC Bayern München at the top of the Bundesliga table thanks to the inform Timo Werner. The Germany U21 international scored two goals and provided one assist in RB Leipzig’s 3-1 against FSV Mainz 05. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side now have 24 points after just ten games and are in second place behind FC Bayern München on goal difference.

Thanks to goals from Werner (3’, 44’) and Emil Forsberg (21’), RB Leipzig have broken the record previously held by MSV Duisburg, as the only newly promoted Bundesliga team to remain unbeaten in their first ten matches. Whilst RB Leipzig celebrate their seventh win of the season, FSV Mainz 05 slip down to 10th in the table. Despite Stefan Bell’s goal in the 74th minute, Martin Schmidt’s side were without a chance of winning just like they were on Thursday evening in their 6-1 defeat to RSC Anderlecht in the Europa League.

Leipzig could have scored more goals

Werner linked up well with Emil Forsberg in the 3rd minute to give RB Leipzig the lead. Mainz were disappointing again after their 6-1 defeat in the Europa League during the week. Whilst the hosts were playing at a high tempo right from the start, Mainz 05 couldn’t break through and conceded the second goal shortly afterwards. Forsberg set up Werner who put RB Leipzig 3-0 in the lead just before half-time.

Leipzig could have extended their lead at the beginning of the second half but luckily for Mainz, the hosts did not make the most of all of their chances. Stefan Ilsanker came in for the injured Bernardo in the Leipzig defence, but the back four didn’t have a whole lot to do during the match.

Alessandro Schöpf (35’, 63’) and Nabil Bentaleb (38’) scored in front of 61,263 fans in the Veltins-Arena to give Schalke a 3-1 victory over Werder Bremen. Olympic silver medallist Serge Gnabry, who was called up to the Germany national first team earlier this week, scored a penalty in the 42nd minute to get one back for Werder. Schöpf brought Gnabry down in the box to give away the penalty.

Schalke continued their good run of form and were putting the pressure on Werder Bremen in the early stages. Their first chance came in the 5th minute when Choupo-Moting’s header went just a few yards over the Werder Bremen goal.

Gnabry’s goal wasn’t enough for Werder Bremen

Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann pulled off a spectacular save to keep out Theodor Gebre Selassie. Alexander Nouri’s team were focusing mainly on keeping tight in defence in the first half.

In the 35th minute, Max Meyer had a go from distance and his powerful shot came back off the Werder bar. Schöpf latched onto the rebound to score his first goal of this season for Schalke. Just 3 minutes later, the same happened again. Werder goalkeeper Wiedwald parried Naldo’s free-kick, but Bentaleb scored from the rebound to make it 2-0 to Schalke.

After Gnabry got a goal back for Werder, Schalke did all they could to finish off the match. Both Schöpf and Bentaleb had good chances to score. Schöpf made the most of his third chance and scored to give Schalke the 3-1 victory.