Gruda restores faith to Leipzig after defeat to Como 1907

At the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, under the dim light of the sunset on October 13, 2026, striker Gruda broke the scoreboard silence with a dry left‑footed strike in the 75th minute, sealing a 1‑0 victory over PSV Eindhoven. The goal, captured by Getty Images under the direction of Pablo Planas, marked Red Bull Leipzig’s first win in the Champions League group stage.

An uneven start and a chance to correct

Red Bull Leipzig had begun the campaign with an uneven start, including a defeat to Como 1907 on the first matchday, which forced the team to find the necessary breathing space to respond. After that setback, the club began to pick up pace little by little, as the press chief noted.

Gruda’s goal, scored in the second half, was enough to give the team the justice it needed and end the points drought in the European competition.

The real protagonists between the posts

While the striker received the applause, goalkeepers Vandevoordt and Kovar were the true heroes, securing the net with confidence and making a brilliant double save for Leipzig. Kovar, in particular, stood out with a decisive save after a penalty that should never have been awarded.

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Referee Nicholas Walsch, from Scotland, activated the VAR to signal an involuntary handball by Baku, but Vandevoordt reacted instinctively to a cross from Perisic, preventing the goal.

Line‑up details and match development

Leipzig lined up Vandervoordt; Baku (Seiwald, min. 96), Orban, Lukeba, Raum; El Aynauoi, Banzuzi (Klostermann, min. 86); Gruda (Reitz, min. 77), Nkunku, Nusa; and Romulo (Gomis, min. 62). PSV fielded Kovar; Dest, Geertruida (Flamingo, min. 77), Obispo, Kostic (Gasiorowski, min. 77); Kodai Sano, Mauro Junior; Perisic, Til, Van Bommel (Hansen, min. 84); Mijnans (Santos, min. 84).

Leipzig dominated possession and showed greater judgment, inspired by Nusa’s movements and Gruda’s growing influence. PSV tried to respond, but lost ground and failed to equalise.

With the win, Leipzig added the three points needed to stay in the race to progress in the Champions League.