Ipswich Town kicked off the Innsbruck Cup with a superb 1-0 win against European heavyweights RB Leipzig.
The Blues were up against a number of world-class players but managed to stand toe-to-toe with the Bundesliga side, securing the victory through George Hirst's towering header in the 51st minute.
Town fans found themselves comfortably outnumbered by RB Leipzig supporters, who made a lot of noise throughout the game. However, it didn't translate into their performance on the pitch, with Kevin Kampl's heavy touch from Ilaix Moriba's cross-field pass the only clear attempt that they had in the opening stages.
Instead, the Blues managed to match their opponents, with Omari Hutchinson causing numerous problems down the left flank. His combination with Leif Davis saw them win a throw-in in the fourth minute, but the move came to an end when the former Leeds United left-back was caught offside.
The Chelsea loanee breezed past Moriba three minutes later, passing back to Davis behind him. However, he was quickly robbed of the ball by Amadu Haidara, whose through ball to Benjamin Sesko was quickly gathered by Vaclav Hladky.
Davis struggled defensively, although that was not a major issue given how high he played up the pitch. However, he almost turned the ball into his own net in the ninth minute, giving away a corner instead. Leipzig's delivery into the box was poor, but Manchester City target Josko Gvardiol was able to flick it back into the danger zone for Sesko, who headed into the gloves of Hladky once again.
Leipzig started to turn the screw, pressing with more and more intensity as the clock ticked towards the 20-minute mark. A heavy back pass almost caught Hladky out, but Town coped with the corner once again as Yussuf Poulsen headed miles over from close range.
It was a recurring pattern in the first half of the game. Kayden Jackson fouled Fabio Carvalho in the 20th minute, allowing the Liverpool loanee to float a free-kick into the box from the left flank. Elkan Baggott was able to clear it with an athletic leap, although Die Roten Bullen maintained their pressure in the Ipswich half.
Baggott was clearly looking to show Kieran McKenna that he's capable of staying at Portman Road next season instead of leaving on loan. His last action of the first half saw him kill off a Leipzig attack by calmly dispossessing Carvalho and clearing the ball out of the box, prompting a round of applause from the travelling Town fans.
Hutchinson was afforded more time on the ball after the break, especially when he drifted from the right flank into the middle. His through ball to Hirst seemed to play the striker in on goal, but the power of it forced him down the right side of the box where he gave it away after attempting a backheel to keep the chance alive.
The opportunity clearly woke Leipzig up as they began attacking with much more intensity. A powerful run from Sesko saw Kampl afforded space to shoot from the left side of the box, but he hit the side netting.
Soon after, a quick counter led by Carvalho saw Emile Forsberg presented with a clear goalscoring opportunity, but Chaplin was able to rush back and clear the shot, which seemed destined for the bottom corner.
Everything was going in Town's favour, and they ended up taking the lead in the 51st minute after a period of sustained possession. Davis found space to fire a powerful cross into the box, allowing Hirst to leap up and head the ball off the crossbar and into the back of the net.
Hutchinson had a chance to kill off the game at the death as he raced clean through on goal. He cut onto his preferred left foot before moving back inside, however, allowing goalkeeper Leopold Zingerle to come off his line. By the time he took his shot, it was easily saved.
Ultimately, it didn't matter, with the Blues holding on to seal the win in the first game of the tournament.
Ipswich Town XI: 4-2-3-1: Hladky; Ball, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Harness; Jackson, Chaplin, Hutchinson; Hirst
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