Sweet-toothed Werner claims hat-trick
BERLIN: Sweet-toothed striker Timo Werner bagged a hat-trick as RB Leipzig thrashed Mainz 5-0 on Sunday to climb back to third in the Bundesliga and keep their dwindling title hopes just about alive.
When asked how he would celebrate, Werner, 24, told reporters: “There will definitely be some sweets involved.”
Julian Nagelsmann’s side sit seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich ahead of the reigning champions’ top-of-the-table clash against secondplaced Borussia Dortmund today.
Leipzig bounced back from their draw with Freiburg last weekend in their first match since the coronavirus lockdown in style, with Werner moving to within three goals of Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski at the top of the league scoring charts.
Werner, who has been linked with several of Europe’s biggest clubs, has scored 24 Bundesliga goals this season including two trebles.
Lewandowski scored his 27th league goal this term in Bayern’s 5-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
“Timo Werner has developed a very good sense not to move only on the wings but to go over to the 10 position,” said Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann of his striker’s work in a more central attacking role.
“Coupled with his speed, that makes him a more versatile player and makes it harder for his opponents to control him.”
Leipzig’s victory was the 10th win for a visiting team in 18 matches since the Bundesliga restarted in
near-empty stadiums.
“We could have scored a few more, but no complaints — we’re very happy,” Leipzig sporting director Markus Kroesche said.
Werner opened the scoring in only the 11th minute, before Yussuf Poulsen marked his 250th appearance for Leipzig by heading home a Marcel Sabitzer cross on 23 minutes.
The pair reversed roles for the third when Poulsen laid the ball off for Sabitzer to make it 3-0 at the break.
Werner grabbed his second goal three minutes into the second half when Kevin Kampl played him into the area.
With 15 minutes left, Werner volleyed past Mainz goalkeeper Florian Mueller to complete his hat-trick.