RBL Women advance to cup semi-final with 6-1 win against Essen
RBL Women advance to semi-finals with 6-1 win against SGS Essen | Goal fest in front of a sell-out crowd | Draw to take place on Sunday
Semi-finalists! The RB Leipzig Women are through to the next round of the Women’s DFB-Pokal, winning 6-1 against Bundesliga side SGS Essen. The Bulls scored with their very first clear-cut chance of the evening.
Vanessa Fudalla beat two opposition defenders to open the scoring, placing her shot into the far left corner (9’).
Leipzig dominant from the start
A few minutes later, SGS goalkeeper Sophia Winkler was beaten once again – this time, it was Medina Dešić who would add her name to the scoresheet (12’). Essen were then awarded a free kick close to the RBL goal, but failed to pose a threat from it.
RBL continued to dominate the game, with Gianna Rackow scoring a stunning long-range effort that flew in under the bar after spotting Winkler off her line (20’).
4-0 lead at the break
The hosts would add another goal to their tally in the minutes leading up to half time, as Johanna Kaiser headed in to make it 4-0 from a free kick (36’). Essen, who currently sit sixth in the Women’s Bundesliga, were unable to break free of Leipzig’s relentless efforts to press them high.
Essen get a goal back
The visitors were able to get one back after the change of ends, as Ramona Maier scored to make it 4-1 (52‘). RBL remained focused, however, and continue to play with pace and determination.
RBL add to their tally
Fudalla netted her second goal of the night in the 78th minute to take the scoreline to 5-1. Essen continued to look for ways back into the game, but were thwarted by RBL goalkeeper Elvira Herzog.
Substitute Lea Mauly would score Leipzig’s sixth of the night in the 86th minute, wrapping up a big win for her side in what continues to be a historic season.
Semi-final draw on Sunday
The semi-final draw will take place on Sunday, 5th March at 17:15 CET, with Mirko Slomka and DFB president Bernd Neuendorf responsible for drawing the ties.
The cup semi-finals will be played on 15th to 17th April, with the final set to be hosted at the Rhein Energie Stadion in Cologne on 18th May.
We're very happy, but this is just a nice bonus. Our main goal is to win promotion this season!
RBL HEAD COACH ŞABAN UZUN
- "We're very happy, but this is just a nice bonus. Our main goal is to win promotion this season. I think we proved that we have no reason to feel inferior against sides from the top flight. We're excited to see who our next opponents will be."
I'm at a loss for words still - it was an incredible game!
RBL Women striker Vanessa Fudalla
- "What we managed to show out on the pitch tonight was indescribable. We are incredibly proud of our performance and very happy. I'm at a loss for words still - it was an incredible game!"
Starting XIs:
RBL: Herzog – Schaller (67' Sakar), Kempe (82' Krug), Kaiser, Beck – Ringsing, Rackow (82' Janež), Graf, Brecht (73' Mauly) – Dešić (67' Müller), Fudalla
SGS: Winkler – Sterner (77' Baaß), Meißner, Ostermeier (82' Rieke), Touon (65' Elmazi) – Pfluger (65' Räcke), Berentzen, Kowalski, Piljic, Endemann – Maier
Goals: 1-0 Fudalla (9'), 2-0 Dešić (12'), 3-0 Rackow (20'), 4-0 Kaiser (36'), 4-1 Maier (52'), 5-1 Fudalla (78'), 6-1 Mauly (86')
Attendance: 1,300 (sold-out)