RB Leipzig equalizes against Dukla Prague – Timo Werner convinces!

RB Leipzig equalizes against Dukla Prague – Timo Werner convinces!

There was a lot going on in the world of football yesterday, as RB Leipzig had the honor of playing a friendly against Dukla Prague. The game ended in an exciting 2-2 draw, which brought certain insights for both the players and the coaching team at RB Leipzig. What was particularly notable was that the Saxons had to compete without twelve national players, which made the encounter all the more interesting. Spectators were not allowed, but numerous club employees watched the events attentively from the stands.

Leipzig showed its offensive strength right from the start, as Andrija Maksimovic made it 1-0 in the 8th minute, followed by Johan Bakayoko, who increased it to 2-0 in the 16th minute. Timo Werner, who made his comeback in the starting line-up, was also involved in these goals by passing the pass to Tidiam Gomis, who provided the assist for Bakayoko's goal. Despite this early lead, Dukla Prague was surprisingly offensive and came more and more into the game.

A comeback under special circumstances

Timo Werner had the chance to make it 3-0 in the 35th minute, but his shot went just wide. In the second half, the striker made a strong statement with a curling shot in the 48th minute, but it was not to be. Despite a solid performance, things got tense as the Prague team increased the pressure. RB coach Ole Werner brought in U19 players who brought a breath of fresh air into the game, but the game took an unexpected turn.

In the 65th minute, Jacques Fokam shortened the score for Dukla Prague, and just a few minutes later, in the 81st minute, Marcel Cermak equalized to make it 2-2. Coach Ole Werner made it clear that test matches are not about the result, but about giving the players who have had less playing time the opportunity to prove themselves. So he sees the focus more on the opportunity for young talents, even if Timo Werner has not scored a competitive goal since October 28, 2023 and still has a contract with RB for another year.

Preparation for the next challenges

After the intense game, the players have until Tuesday off to recover. Afterwards, preparation begins for the next home game against Hamburger SV, which takes place on October 18th at 3:30 p.m. During this time, Ole Werner has the opportunity to work specifically with many players and prepare them for the challenges ahead.

The friendly against Dukla Prague was an important element in RB Leipzig's pre-season preparation, and despite the points scored, the focus is clearly on the team's sporting development. It remains to be seen how the team will present itself in the coming weeks, but one thing is certain: it will be exciting to watch the progress.