RB Leipzig Win 2-0 at Schalke for First Bundesliga Away Win of Season and Move Into Fourth
RB Leipzig beat newly promoted Schalke 2-0 at the Veltins-Arena on Saturday, October 31, in a Bundesliga Matchday 8 game. Antonio Nusa scored from the penalty spot in the first half, and Romulo added a second in the 78th minute. The win was Leipzig's first away win of the Bundesliga season, and it moved them up to fourth place.
Leipzig had lost all three of their away games before this match. They had won all four of their home league games by an aggregate score of 18-0. The record on the road had been a big talking point, and head coach Martin Demichelis had said before the game that the team were heading to Schalke full of self-belief.
The first half was tight, but Leipzig broke through in the 37th minute. They were awarded a penalty, and Nusa stepped up and converted it. That gave Leipzig a 1-0 lead at half-time. After the break, the visitors stayed in control. Schalke did not manage a single shot on target in the second half.
The second goal came in the 78th minute. Tidiam Gomis fed Nusa, who slipped a pass to Romulo. He guided the ball into the far corner. It was his fourth goal of the season. Leipzig had several more chances in the closing stages. Schalke goalkeeper Loris Karius kept the score down with saves from Johan Bakayoko and Gomis, and he was named Man of the Match. Leipzig's expected goals total was 3.16 compared with 0.75 for Schalke.
The result moves Leipzig into fourth place in the table, one point behind third-placed Freiburg. Freiburg came from behind to win 2-1 at Augsburg on the same day. Schalke stay in 16th place after the defeat.
Captain David Raum said the team were happy to have finally won away from home, and that he hoped it meant the away-form curse was over. He said the club's ambition is to finish in a Champions League place. Demichelis said the team had started bravely and played a good game both with and without the ball.
Leipzig now turn their attention to Europe. They host Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday. Leipzig have won all of their last five meetings against Schalke, scoring 22 goals and conceding three in that period.