Leipzig's chances ran well above normal, and Karius kept them to two

FC Schalke 04 0-2 RB Leipzig: a Nusa penalty opened the scoring, and Leipzig's chances were far better than their usual level.

A penalty decided the first half. Antonio Nusa converted from the spot in the 37th minute, and RB Leipzig went in at the break a goal up. Just before the interval, a Rômulo strike was ruled out after a VAR review, the video check, so the lead stayed at one until Rômulo scored again in the 78th minute, assisted by Nusa.

The chances are where the match really moved. RB Leipzig had 18 shots, 13 of them from inside the penalty area, and their expected goals figure came to 2.72. That measure gives each chance a value based on how often similar chances go in, and 2.72 is well above the 1.69 they average in away league games. Their shot count was close to the 16.7 they usually take away, so the quality of the chances stood out more than the number.

FC Schalke 04 had 40% of the ball, almost exactly their home average of 39.6%, so that part of the game was ordinary for them. They took six shots against a home average of 9.9, and only two came from inside the box. Their expected goals of 0.58 sat under a home average of 0.71. Little of this was unusual for them; what was unusual was how little their attacks produced.

Much of the scoreline rests on L. Karius, who made eight saves. Ten of Leipzig's shots were on target, so eight were stopped by Karius and two went in, which is how a goalkeeper's evening earns a rating of 7.9, the highest in the match. The Leipzig goalkeeper had only one save to make, from FC Schalke 04's single shot on target.

RB Leipzig's two goals were below the 2.9 they average away from home, but they conceded nothing, against an away average of 1.7. FC Schalke 04 scored nothing against a home average of 0.6, and conceded two against a home average of one. The difference between the two sides was less about how often they shot and more about who finished the chances.

In the table, RB Leipzig sit sixth and FC Schalke 04 are 16th. Leipzig's away record reads 20 goals scored and 11 conceded from seven league games.

At home, FC Schalke 04 have scored four and conceded seven across seven league games.

Player of the matchL. Karius8 saves7.9

A. Nusa1 goal · 1 assist7.7

Rômulo1 goal7.7

D. Raum4 chances created7.2