On 3 December, Leipzig faced Schalke 04 at home on matchday 13.[4] The match finished as a 2–1 win for RB Leipzig. RBL opened the scoring in the second minute from the penalty spot via Timo Werner. Two minutes later, Yussuf Poulsen missed two opportunities in a row to extend the lead for Leipzig.[5] Poulsen again missed an opportunity in the 29th minute, missing a metre away from goal. Two minutes later, Sead Kolašinac scored the equaliser for Schalke, after the ball was parried by RB goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi. Two minutes into the second half, Sead Kolašinac scored an own goal from a free kick from Leipzig's Emil Forsberg. Leipzig had further opportunities to score, but failed to capitalise. This includes a chance for Poulsen in the 64th minute from a corner, from Marcel Halstenberg in the 74th minute with a header onto the bar, and two opportunities for Naby Keïta in the 81st and 83rd minute. Leipzig goalkeeper Gulácsi preserved their lead with three consecutive saves in the 77th minute. The final opportunities fell to Poulsen in the 84th minute and Emil Forsberg in the 88th, yet both were unable to extend the lead. This proved to be enough, as Leipzig secured their 8th consecutive victory and maintained their position at the top of the table.[6]
Players
Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^Since the winners of the 2016–17 DFB-Pokal, Borussia Dortmund, qualified for the Champions League based on league position, the Europa League group stage spot was passed to the sixth-placed team, Hertha BSC; and the Europa League third qualifying round spot was passed to the seventh-placed team, SC Freiburg.
Note: The match was originally scheduled to start at 17:30, but was delayed 15 minutes due to a blockade preventing RB Leipzig's bus from entering the stadium.[18]
