Ezechiel Banzuzi inspires Leipzig comeback win over Augsburg

Leipzig recovered from conceding inside the opening minute to beat Augsburg 5-2, with Ezechiel Banzuzi scoring the equaliser before the home side pulled clear before half-time.

The Rote Bullen had barely returned to the centre circle when Anton Kade put the visitors ahead with an early strike. Leipzig initially struggled to impose themselves, but began to settle after the first 30 minutes.

Banzuzi, the Congolese international, brought Leipzig level and the hosts then took control of the match. Christopher Nkunku and David Raum both scored before the interval to give Leipzig a 3-1 lead.

Augsburg created little beyond Kade’s early goal and spent much of the remainder of the first half attempting to avoid a heavier deficit. That proved difficult after the break, as Leipzig continued to attack with considerable efficiency.

Romulo added a fourth for the home side, before Christoph Baumgartner extended Leipzig’s advantage midway through the second half.

Augsburg supplied the final goal of the match in stoppage time, when Nigerian forward Uchenna Ogundu scored to reduce the margin. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw played the full 90 minutes for the visitors.

The emphatic victory keeps Leipzig close to Bayern and Dortmund in the Bundesliga standings. With three points fewer than the teams above them, the east German side occupy third place.

Augsburg remain 12th, but are only two points clear of Union Berlin, who are in the relegation places.