After a four-game winless run in the Bundesliga saw Leipzig drop from top of the league down to sixth, they were desperate to turn their fortunes around against Mainz. Any kind of win would have sufficed, but an 8-0 demolition job showed that Leipzig, and particularly their talisman Timo Werner, still meant business.Ā
The German international had a hand in six of the eight goals, securing a hat-trick of assists as well as three goals of his own. It was the inspired performance that Leipzig were crying out for and this will go down as one of this seasonās most impressive displays in the Bundesliga.
Werner made his presence known early, just five minutes into the game as he burst down the left before drilling a perfect cross across the six-yard box for Marcel Sabitzer to bundle home. Half an hour later, Werner had a goal and another assist to his name and the signs of a whitewash were starting to show.
The striker didnāt have a hand in the next two goals as Leipzig went into half time 5-0 up. Two goals either side of an excellent assist for Nordi Mukiele in the second half, however, meant that Werner completed the eight-goal rout as well as his two hat-tricks; one of goals and one of assists.Ā
The win showed exactly why both Leipzig and Werner deserve all of the praise they get, putting to bed any doubts that they canāt compare to the Bundesligaās elite.