Xavi Simons scored twice as RB Leipzig held off a second-half fightback from VfL Wolfsburg to secure a crucial 3-2 away victory in the Bundesliga’s Friday night fixture, April 11th. Loïs Openda also found the net for Leipzig, who were made to sweat after initially racing into a 3-0 lead.
The match marked a reunion between Wolfsburg coach Ralph Hasenhüttl and Leipzig interim coach Zsolt Löw, who previously worked as Hasenhüttl’s assistant at the club. Leipzig, under Löw following Marco Rose’s dismissal last weekend, started brightly.
Loïs Openda opened the scoring in the 11th minute, firing a powerful shot from 24 meters past goalkeeper Kamil Grabara after capitalizing on a Wolfsburg error. Xavi Simons doubled the lead in the 26th minute with a fine curling effort from the edge of the box. Wolfsburg were unlucky not to respond before the break, with Bence Dardai hitting the post and Jakub Kamiński striking the crossbar.
Leipzig extended their lead four minutes into the second half when Xavi clinically finished again to make it 3-0.
However, Wolfsburg mounted a spirited comeback. Kilian Fischer scored his first ever Bundesliga goal in the 58th minute with a well-placed shot from outside the box. Andreas Skov Olsen then made it 3-2 in the 75th minute, assisted by Joakim Mæhle, setting up a tense finale.
Wolfsburg pushed hard for an equalizer, with Yannick Gerhardt forcing a spectacular late save from Leipzig goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi. Leipzig, despite looking comfortable earlier, managed to hold on for the vital three points.
Xavi Simons was the standout performer, with his two goals proving decisive. The victory boosts Leipzig’s push for European qualification.
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