RB Leipzig came back from one down twice to draw with Real Sociedad in Europa League’s first leg of play-offs. So, among other of yesterday’s Europa League football results, Leipzig and Real Sociedad tied 2-2 in Thursday night’s football match.
Leipzig have been in fine form this year under their recently appointed coach, Domenico Tedesco. Plus, the Bundesliga giants’ morale is particularly high right now, following five wins in their last six games.
Up to sixth in the Spanish Liga standings, La Real have been enjoying spectacular form of their own of late. But, on the other hand, the visitors had also failed to win in four previous visits to Germany.
Europa League Football Results – Leipzig and Real Sociedad Tied 2-2
Still, Real Sociedad enjoyed the perfect start here, what with Imanol Alguacil’s side racing into an eighth-minute lead.
Taking advantage of Leipzig’s failure to deal with a corner, Cristian Portu found Diego Rico. And subsequently, Rico provided the assist for Robin Le Normand’s deflected finish.
Then, the ease with which Leipzigit fashioned an equaliser was unsurprising. Currently fifth on the Bundesliga’s top-scorer charts with eleven goals, Christopher Nkunku showcased his brilliance here too. He let loose a superbly angled header from Angeliño’s whipped centre.
But in the second half, soon after the hour mark, Real Soceidad edged ahead. So, all had seemed well for Tedesco’s team after substitute Benjamin Henrichs heroically cleared from Cristian Portu’s close-range shot.
However, VAR spotted an earlier handball by Josko Gvardiol during the move and the visitors won a penalty instead. Still, they were unfazed as a confident spot kick from Mikel Oyarzabal followed and Leipzig were once again chasing them.
Substitute Emil Forsberg dived into the fray to liven things up, and the Swede immediately delivered with a powerful shot. But goalkeeper Mathew Ryan dealt with the ball then.
The two would soon face each other once again, though. That happened from the penalty spot, after Joseba Zaldua tripped Dominik Szoboszlai in the box.
This time, Forsberg kept his cool with a calm finish that brought the tie to a 2-2 head.
So, Leipzig as well as Sociedad are perfectly poised ahead of the return leg in Spain on 24 February.
