Yussuf Poulsen celebrates his team's victory. © ANSA / Filip Singer

“Thank God”: Leipzig prevents another Bochum debacle

RB Leipzig beat VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Friday evening, but had to tremble at the end.

12 April 2025

From: dpa

Peter Gulacsi shared his thoughts openly. Yes, said the RB Leipzig goalkeeper, he was thinking about the game in Bochum during the 3-2 win at VfL Wolfsburg. There, the Saxons had squandered a 3-0 lead to a 3-3 draw in mid-January – and an identical disaster threatened in Wolfsburg. "In the end, we somehow brought it home," said Gulacsi.

Losing such a lead a second time in such a short period would likely have caused lasting damage to Leipzig's currently unstable team—at least in the short term in their pursuit of fourth place, which qualifies them for the Champions League.

Leipzig celebrates. © ANSA / Filip Singer

They'll stay there at least until late Saturday afternoon, but Mainz can overtake them again with a win at Hoffenheim. "If we hadn't won that, we'd have lost two points. After a 3-0 win, you can't let a game slip away twice. Thank God we won," Gulacsi emphasized.

“A lot is going through people’s heads”

After 49 minutes, RB deservedly led by three goals, but with a quarter of an hour remaining, the two teams were separated by just one goal. "A lot is going through our minds, because we've already thrown away a 3-0 lead once this season," said Gulacsi. The 34-year-old prevented an equalizer with several saves.

It remains a mystery why RB keeps letting games slip away. "We've experienced this several times this season, where we've somehow lost control and the rhythm of the game," said Gulacsi. The Hungarian international didn't have a clear explanation.

Peter Gulacsi clenches his fist. © ANSA / Filip Singer

Coach Zsolt Löw would also have preferred a quieter evening. "It was a good game for the spectators, but a bit more tiring for me on the bench," said the 45-year-old. The final result, however, is a Bundesliga start with two wins. Of his predecessors, only Julian Nagelsmann managed that feat.