RB Leipzig have gained new courage for the difficult Champions League clash with Real Madrid. Four days before the round of 16 second leg in the Spanish capital, coach Marco Rose's team secured an impressive 4:1 (1:1) win at VfL Bochum, who have been strong at home recently. After a poor start to the year so far, the visitors lived up to their role as favorites and remain just one point behind fourth-placed Dortmund in the Bundesliga. In front of 24,200 spectators at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion, Dani Olmo (30th minute), Lois Openda (68th), Ivan Ordets (own goal/71st) and Yussuf Poulsen (72nd) secured a deserved victory for the visitors.
On the other hand, VfL, who had beaten German record champions FC Bayern at the same venue two weeks ago and were hoping for another coup after Maximilian Wittek's early goal (3rd), suffered a setback for the first time after eight home games without defeat. The red card for Moritz Kwarteng in the 86th minute after a rough foul added to the frustration.
A furious start to the game ensured early excitement in the stands. Handicapped by the absence of various regular players, the hosts came close to going behind early on. Only the strong reaction of returnee Andreas Luthe, who was in the VfL goal for the first time in a Bundesliga match since October 18, 2009, prevented Leipzig from taking the lead when Xavi Simons shot in the third minute.
