Real Madrid claimed their third Champions League victory in as many games on Wednesday, thrashing RB Leipzig 4-1. Kylian Mbappe and Yan Diomande were among the goalscorers for the side managed by Jose Mourinho.
The win was Madrid’s fourth consecutive success across all competitions and should boost their morale before Sunday’s La Liga Clasico against Barcelona. Madrid have gone without a major trophy for two seasons and made a shaky start in the domestic league, but they can point to a perfect record in Europe. Barcelona, by contrast, lost to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Silva and Guler give Madrid a comfortable lead
Leipzig created the first big chance of the match, but Thibaut Courtois made a low save to deny Romulo Cardoso. Madrid then carved out an advantage late in a quiet first half. Federico Valverde cut the ball back for Arda Guler, whose shot was saved by Maarten Vandevoordt, and the goalkeeper could not clear the rebound. Bernardo Silva darted in to prod it over the line.
Also read: Yan Diomande starts to shine as Real Madrid visit Leipzig
It was the former Manchester City midfielder’s first goal for the club since he joined this summer. Soon after the interval, Guler doubled the lead in the 52nd minute. Jude Bellingham crossed to the back post, Mbappe nodded the ball across goal, and Guler held off a defender to turn it home.
Mbappe and Diomande score as Leipzig replies
Mbappe lashed a shot into the side netting before he added a third. Madrid’s record signing, Diomande, who cost 140 million euros ($157m), pulled the ball back to him on the edge of the box, and the French forward bent it home.
Leipzig quickly responded at the other end. Dean Huijsen switched off, and Tidiam Gomis fired past Courtois to pull one back for the German side. Diomande had the final word late on, rattling an emphatic volley from Brahim Diaz’s cross into the top corner. It was his third goal in his last four appearances.
Vinicius sidelined as Madrid look ahead to Barcelona
Mourinho started Vinicius on the left flank, even though the Brazilian is serving a four-match ban in La Liga. The coach left former Leipzig winger Diomande on the bench at first, despite his improving form. Mourinho also brought Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga into midfield and again played Valverde at right-back, as he had in Sunday’s win at Sevilla.
Vinicius, who had struggled in the previous match at Roma without breaking out of his slump, also drew a full-stretch save from Vandevoordt in this game. Mourinho replaced him with Diomande with 20 minutes remaining, and the winger looked disappointed on the bench. He cannot play again until November 4, when Madrid visit AEK Athens.
