RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings: Leverkusen Storm Red Bull Arena in 3-1 Comeback Win

Bayer Leverkusen pulled off a stunning first-half comeback to secure a 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig. It was a classic game of two halves, or rather, a game decided in five frantic minutes before the break. This was a massive statement win for the visitors in the Bundesliga.

RB Leipzig started the brighter of the two teams. They looked confident, controlled possession, and deservedly took the lead. Xaver Schlager's strike from distance was a thing of beauty. But then, it all fell apart for the home side.

Bayer Leverkusen, who had been knocking on the door, suddenly found their rhythm. Two goals in four minutes from Martin Terrier and Patrik Schick completely flipped the script, before Culbreath netted the third for his team in the 90+7th minute. The second half saw RB Leipzig throw everything they had at Leverkusen, but the away side’s defence, marshalled brilliantly by their goalkeeper, stood firm to claim all three points in this thrilling match. Here are Sportsdunia's RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen player ratings.

Schlager received 8/10 Rating after his tremendous display in the midfield in RB Leipzig Player Ratings

Check out the RB Leipzig player ratings for the RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen fixture.

Goalkeeper

Péter Gulácsi - 6.5: A difficult evening for the Leipzig keeper. He made a few decent saves, including a notable one to deny Arthur. However, he was ultimately beaten twice in quick succession. We felt he couldn't do much about either goal. He was left exposed by his defence for the goals.

Defenders

Willi Orbán - 6.5: A mixed performance from the centre-back. He was generally solid, making five clearances and blocking two shots. His passing was tidy and helped build from the back. However, he was part of a defence that conceded three goals and missed a big chance himself.

Kosta Nedeljkovic - 5.0: A really tough day at the office for the defender. From our perspective, he was the weakest link in the backline. He was dribbled past twice and won only one of his five duels. It wasn't a surprise to see him substituted in the second half.

David Raum - 8.0: What an incredible performance from the Leipzig captain. He was by far their best player, a constant source of creativity from the left flank. He created a staggering seven chances. SEVEN. He also chipped in with six tackles, showing his commitment at both ends. It’s a shame his teammates couldn't capitalize on his brilliant service.

Castello Lukeba - 6.0: He was comfortable on the ball, with a 92% pass completion rate. He also made five crucial clearances. But like the rest of the defence, he has to take some responsibility for the chaotic five minutes before halftime. An average outing.

Midfielders

Nicolas Seiwald - 6.5: A quiet but efficient performance in the middle of the park. He kept the ball moving with 89% passing accuracy. We noticed he didn't offer a huge amount going forward or breaking up play, though. He needed to impose himself more on the game.

Christoph Baumgartner - 7.5: A very lively and influential display. He provided a smart assist for the opening goal. He was always trying to make things happen, creating two chances. He did miss a clear opportunity himself, but his overall contribution was a major positive for Leipzig.

Xaver Schlager - 8.0: Our man of the match. He scored a fantastic goal from outside the box to give his side the lead. Beyond the goal, his work rate was immense, with seven ball recoveries and three tackles. He battled relentlessly in midfield and was a true standout performer, even in defeat.

Forwards

Conrad Harder - 7.0: A frustrating but energetic performance. He was a constant nuisance for the Leverkusen defence, taking six shots. However, his finishing let him down, as he missed a big chance. He won an impressive seven duels and drew four fouls, always looking to be in the thick of it.

Tidiam Gomis - 6.0: He showed flashes of danger but ultimately lacked the final product. He got into some good positions but couldn't find the back of the net with his three shots. He was eventually substituted after a tireless but fruitless effort.

Rômulo - 5.5: A very quiet game for the attacker, who was largely anonymous. With only 20 touches in 70 minutes, he failed to make any impact. An error leading to a shot summed up his difficult afternoon before he was subbed off.

Substitutes

Ridle Baku, Andrija Maksimovic, Timo Werner - N/A: The substitutes were brought on to chase the game. They injected some energy, but ultimately couldn't find the crucial breakthrough against a resolute Leverkusen defence.

Manager

O. Werner - 5.5: His team started perfectly and executed his plan to take the lead. However, the mental collapse before halftime is a huge concern. His side couldn't find a way to break down Leverkusen in the second half, despite dominating the ball. A disappointing result at home.

Tella & Terrier amongst the Best Performers in a Dominant Victory in Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings

Check out the Bayer Leverkusen player ratings for the RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen fixture.

Goalkeeper

Mark Flekken - 7.5: A commanding performance between the sticks. He made five saves, some of which were vital to keeping his team ahead. He was only beaten by a superb long-range effort. What stood out to us was his composure and excellent handling under pressure.

Defenders

Loïc Badé - 8.0: An absolute colossus at the back. He was immense for Leverkusen, winning nearly every duel. His stats were incredible: six clearances, three blocked shots, and 99% pass accuracy. From our perspective, he was one of the best players on the pitch.

Robert Andrich - 7.0: A true captain's performance. He was incredibly secure in possession and organized his team well. He made four key interceptions and kept things simple and effective. A calm head in a frantic game.

Jeanuël Belocian - 6.5: He was the shakiest of the back three. He committed three fouls and lost a few more duels than his partners. However, he stuck to his task and made some important tackles and clearances. A solid, if unspectacular, performance.

Midfielders

Malik Tillman - 7.5: A fantastic creative performance from the midfielder. His 97% pass accuracy was exceptional. He was the architect of many of Leverkusen's best attacks, creating four chances. A joy to watch on the ball.

Arthur - 7.0: Provided the crucial assist for the equalizing goal with a beautiful cross. He played with fire at times, earning a yellow card for his troubles. But his attacking contribution was undeniable and vital for the comeback.

Nathan Tella - 8.0: An electrifying display. He set up the winning goal with a perfect through ball. He was a constant threat with his pace and dribbling. His injury and subsequent substitution was a blow, but he had already done the damage. A brilliant outing.

Aleix García - 6.5: Kept the ball ticking over nicely in midfield with his 93% pass accuracy. However, his final ball was often lacking, especially from crosses. He worked hard but didn't have a decisive impact on the game.

Forwards

Jonas Hofmann - 6.5: He created a big chance early in the game but drifted out of it afterwards. It was a surprisingly quiet performance from a player of his quality. It was no surprise when he was substituted before the hour mark.

Martin Terrier - 8.0: Scored the all-important equalizer with a well-timed header. His movement caused problems for the Leipzig defence all game. He took his goal with clinical precision when his team needed it most. A top-class striker's performance.

Patrik Schick - 7.5: The match-winner. He missed a big chance earlier in the game, but that didn't affect his confidence. When the second opportunity came, he buried it with a powerful finish. That’s what defines great strikers. His goal was the decisive moment of the match.

Substitutes

Ezequiél Fernández, Axel Tape, Christian Kofane, Montrell Culbreath, Lucas Vázquez - N/A: They were brought on to manage the game and provide fresh legs. They did their jobs effectively, helping to see out a massive away win.

Manager

K. Hjulmand - 8.0: A tactical masterclass. His team didn't panic after going a goal down. He clearly trusted his players to stick to the plan. They responded with three goals and defended with incredible discipline to secure the win. His game management was spot on.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match Goes to Xaver Schlager