Nagelsmann's machine doesn't stop: Leipzig eliminate Wolfsburg from the Cup

When two great defenses meet, it usually ends up with little or no goals, but this is the German Cup. It was a high-tempo Quarterfinal game, with plenty of chances and good goalkeeping work which ended with a Leipzig win over Wolfsburg 2-0.

Julian Nagelsmann’s men just keep winning, no matter who is on the other side of the ball. And when the other side has chances, Leipzig's defense, with Gulacsi between the goalposts just stops them. And when Leipzig can’t score, Nagelsmann brings the right subs at the right time, and we have seen that in this match again, because one of them, Alexander Sorloth had an assist with the first goal, while Hee-Chan Hwang scored the second one.

Leipzig had two great chances at the opening stages, but Casteels made a great save to deny Nkunku, and Kluivert was nearly successful with his shot, all in the first 15 minutes when the hosts were really dominant. But after a VAR intervention in the 26th minute, Wolfsburg goes the penalty kick. It was their best chance of the match, but Weghorst stepped up and slipped, sending the ball over the crossbar. Still, Wolfsburg didn’t just lament, they had another great chance in the injury time when Steffen was one on one with Gulacsi, but the Hungarian goalkeeper was on spot.

Wolfsburg came so close to achieve remarkable 1000 minutes in all competitions without conceding a goal, but they were stopped short in the 999th minute when Poulsen scored the leading goal. This goal was “in the air” since the beginning of the second half, because Leipzig really increased the pressure on Wolfsburg. First, it was Poulsen in the 52nd minute, then it was Nkunku one minute later, but Leipzig forward finally broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute. And again, just like last week against Monchengladbach in Bundesliga, Julius Nagelsmann introduced his “joker”, Alexander Sorloth, and he immidiately provided the assist to Poulsen for the lead. The Dane is the joint top scorer in this season’s DFB Cup with five goals.

The hosts were largely passive in the second half. Oliver Glasner made three offensive substitutions trying to find a creative solution for the equalizer, but it was not meant to be for the Wolfs. Hee-Chan Hwang ended all hopes for the visitors in the 88th minute and sent them to the Semifinals.

GERMAN CUP QUARTER FINALS

Tuesday

Borussia Monchengladbach – Borussia Dortmund 0-1 (0-0)

/Sancho 66/

Regensburg – Werder Bremen - postponed

Wednesday

Essen - Holstein Kiel 0-3 (0-2)

/Muhling 26, Serra 28, Mees 90)

RB Leipzig VfL Wolfsburg 2-0 (0-0)

/ Poulsen 63, Hee-Chan Hwang 88/