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Penalty converted: Forsberg celebrates his goal to 2-2 against Real Sociedad San Sebastian
Photo: kolbert-press/Marc Niemeyer / imago images/kolbert-press
Runner-up RB Leipzig prevented a false start in the Europa League thanks to Emil Forsberg's strong nerves.
The joker saved Domenico Tedesco's team from a bankruptcy in the play-off first leg to qualify for the round of 16 with an ice-cold penalty kick (82nd) in a 2-2 (1-1) win against Real Sociedad San Sebastian.
In the fight for a ticket to the next round, Leipzig still have all the options in the second leg in Spain on February 24th.
Previously, Leipzig's defender Josko Gvardiol was responsible for a penalty with an unnecessary handball, which referee Cüneyt Cakir gave after video evidence.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the point (64th).
Robin Le Normand (8th) gave the guests an early lead, while Christopher Nkunku (30th) equalized in front of 21,113 spectators in the home arena.
Last week, the health department of the city of Leipzig allowed a capacity utilization of 50 percent for the game.
Under ex-coach Jesse Marsch, RB failed in the Champions League group phase, despite relegation to the Europa League, Tedesco emphasized before the game against San Sebastian: "This is an international game.
A competition that, in my opinion, is very lucrative and attractive.« While Leipzig, fourth in the Bundesliga, is currently back on course for the top league, according to Tedesco, they want to »sell well« in the Europa League.
Against the Spanish defensive there was no getting through
However, this initially failed.
Although Leipzig had more possession in the first few minutes, Le Normand used the first good opportunity for San Sebastian.
The defender got a free shot after a cross from Diego Rico.
The hosts, who had to do without defender Willi Orban with a cold, then repeatedly pushed San Sebastian deep into their half.
However, RB did not get through against the compact Spaniards.
Keeper Mathew Ryan easily parried Konrad Laimer's shot (23').
The Saxons' offensive efforts were finally rewarded by Nkunku, who headed in Angelino's cross.
As a result, Leipzig continued to determine what was happening on the pitch.
The Spaniards, who started on loan from RB Alexander Sörloth, now concentrated almost exclusively on defending.
Even after the break, Leipzig dominated the game, Nkunku (54th) failed to goalkeeper Ryan.
The guests now tried to come more often in the direction of the opposing half.
Gvardiol raised his hand to an opponent's corner kick and was responsible for the subsequent penalty, which was awarded based on video evidence.
But Leipzig didn't give up and the jokers stabbed: After a foul on Dominik Szoboszlai, Forsberg safely converted the penalty to equalize.
ok/sid
