Banzuzi impresses from off the bench on his competitive RBL debut | OneFootball

Just a few days before RB Leipzig's DFB-Pokal game at SV Sandhausen, Ezechiel Banzuzi said in an interview: "We want to bring the cup back to Leipzig. That would mean a lot to me." The summer signing played an important part in yesterday's 4-2 victory in the first round.

A goal from off the bench

Banzuzi started the Pokal game on the bench. Up until the 62nd minute, he saw his teammates go behind twice and then level the game on both occasions, before building up some real pressure on the Regionalliga side's defence.

The all-important third goal took a while to come, however, and it was Ezechiel who got it. After coming on for Xaver Schlager, he quickly made an impact in the final third. He just beat the SVS keeper to a high ball to head in Leipzig's third goal in the 79th minute.

Delighted with his first goal

The 20-year-old was clearly delighted with his first competitive goal for the Red Bulls. It allowed Ole Werner's side to fully control the game late on, and Xavi's injury-time strike confirmed a 4-2 win and a place in the second round.

It was an afternoon full of drama, as it often is in the DFB-Pokal. "The pressure in this competition is even higher. You have to win every game – it’s a different kind of motivation," said Banzuzi before the game. After Saturday's win, it's safe to say that Banzu will give his all in the next round to keep the team's dream of winning the competition for a third time alive...

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