Timo Werner-less Leipzig strengthen grip on top four
James Thorogood
February 1, 2019
After responding to defeat against Dortmund with back-to-back victories, Leipzig have underlined their top four credentials. The unresolved future of Timo Werner, however, is a cloud that continues to hang over them.
Image: Getty Images/S. Franklin
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In the end, RB Leipzig's 3-0 win in Hanover was routine. Ralf Rangnick's side made light work of the Bundesliga cellar dwellers with Marcel Halstenberg scoring from the spot on the cusp of half-time before Willi Orban's second-half brace put the game beyond a harmless Hannover side.
As a result, Leipzig remain on course to hit their season targets of securing a top-four finish and with it a return to the promised land of the UEFA Champions League.
Unburdened and unleashed?
This season's stint in the UEFA Europa League proved a forgettable experience predicated on a rampant rotation policy and disjointed performances. Getting knocked out of in the group stages was not a good look for a side desperate to prove they could cope with competing on three fronts.
Yet without the burden of taxing midweek trips across the continent, Die Roten Bullen are to be taken seriously in the Rückrunde. Especially as they've demonstrated a propensity for picking up positive results when Timo Werner hasn't been at the races, or in the match day squad as was the case against Hannover due to illness.
The German international has flattered to deceive since the turn of the year, failing to add to the 11 goals he scored in the first half of the season as the matter of his contract extension looms large.
Leipzig's coach and sporting director Rangnick admitted that a "very attractive" offer has been made to the 22-year-old, who is being courted by the likes of Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Real Madrid if reports are to be believed.
However, the Rangnick also reiterated that should no extension be signed, Werner will be sold in the summer to avoid him leaving on a free in 2020, a stance Leipzig have been unwavering in.
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"If he's well advised, which I believe he is, then he'll sign a contract extension," Rangnick told Focus. "Both he and his agent are aware that he doesn't fit into every team […] we can't force him, but I'm confident that he'll stay. After all, a new contract doesn't mean he can't ever leave the club."
Leipzig's desire to establish themselves among the Bundesliga's elite was always going to be a long-term project and, while there were signs of a plateau early on, progress has been made in 2018/19. The question is whether Werner feels the time is right to strike while the iron is hot?
No reason to leave
With the Bundesliga's meanest backline, a smattering of internationals and rising stars like Tyler Adams, the East German outfit has talent in their ranks beyond Timo. However, he is their marquee player and losing him in the summer before Julian Nagelsmann's takeover would be a big blow.
The prospect of Germany's top striker working with and being guaranteed game time under Germany's most exciting head coach is a mouth-watering prospect. Playing second fiddle to Roberto Firmino, Robert Lewandowski or Karim Benzema is not.
A decision will be made at the end of the season at the latest, but if Werner's choice hinges on Leipzig's ability to clinch qualification for the Champions League then there's no reason to panic.
Bundesliga Matchday 20: Roundup
Borussia Dortmund gained ground in the title race despite dropping points in Frankfurt. That was because Bayern Munich, the defending Bundesliga champions, suffered a surprise result in Leverkusen.
Image: imago/DeFodi/R. Krivec
Stuttgart 2-2 Freiburg
Florian Niederlechner's injury time strike earned Freiburg a draw and denied Stuttgart a priceless win. The visitors took an early lead through Janik Haberer, but the hosts turned the game on its head in the final 15 minutes, through strikes from Emiliano Insua and Daniel Didavi. Stuttgart had Mario Gomez sent off late on for an elbow and then conceded at the death when Niederlechner tapped in.
Image: imago/Eibner/T. Weller
Augsburg 3-0 Mainz
Alfreo Finnbogason scored a hat-trick as Augsburg disposed of Mainz in ruthless fashion. Finnbogason scored twice from the spot in the first half and added a third after the break on a snowy Sunday afternoon in Bavaria. It was the Icelandic striker's first goals since November, and helps drag them four points clear of the relegation playoff place. The defeat is Mainz's first in five games.
Image: imago/DeFodi/R. Krivec
Schalke 0-2 Gladbach
Even though Alexander Nübel was sent off in the second half, Schalke still looked good for a point. That was until, with five minutes to go, Christoph Kramer's deflected half-volley ended up in the top corner. In the end, a game that looked likely to end in a draw for a long time was won by the smarter side. Florian Neuhaus added a second late on to add gloss to the scoreline.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/I. Fassbender
Leverkusen 3-1 Bayern Munich
The home side came to play on Saturday, blowing the defending Bundesliga champions away in the second half. Leon Goretzka gave the visitors an early lead with his fourth goal in three games, but Leon Bailey, Kevin Volland (pictured) and Lucas Alario all scored to give Leverkusen their first home victory of 2019 and under Peter Bosz.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Gambarini
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
Marco Reus put the Bundesliga leaders ahead in the first half after linking up with Raphael Guerreiro. But Luka Jovic (third from left) leveled the score moments later, using all of his 1.81-meter (5-foot-11) frame to score the equalizer. The two sides shared the points in the end, marking just the fifth occasion this season in which Dortmund have dropped points.
Image: Reuters/K. Pfaffenbach
Hannover 0-3 RB Leipzig
Leipzig tightened their grip on the fourth Champions League place with a comfortable win against Hannover. Marcel Halstenberg (left) scored the opener from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time and captain Willi Orban added two second half goals — the second a bullet header from a corner — to secure three points. It also meant defeat for Thomas Doll in his first game in charge of Hannover.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Pförtner
Hoffenheim 1-1 Fortuna Düsseldorf
Andrej Kramaric (left) converted a penalty, his ninth goal of the season, to give the home side a first-half lead. But Rouwen Hennings equalized shortly after the break, heading in a Kevin Stöger lob. The two sides settled for a draw in the end, leaving Hoffenheim still winless at home in 2019.
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/Kaspar-Bartke
Nuremberg 1-1 Werder Bremen
Mikael Ishak celebrated his late equalizer with Nuremberg's loyal supporters. Johannes Eggestein had put the visitors in front, but Ishak slotted home a spectacular effort to level the score four minutes from time. The 1-1 result ended a six game losing streak for "Der Club," but they have still not won a game since September 2018.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/D. Karmann
Hertha Berlin 0-1 Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg snatched an important away victory on a wet, snowy day in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. Wout Weghorst (pictured) tapped in the only goal of the game, his seventh in the Bundesliga. The Wolves have won four of their last six games and remain in contention for a Europa League spot.
