For the time being, Bayern hunter number 1
© Imago
RB Leipzig continued to stabilize and set in the top group of the Bundesliga. The Saxons celebrated the third victory in series by the 3: 1 (3: 1) against promoted 1. FC Köln and initially climbed two in the table. In addition, the Leipzigers expanded a long-term success series: RB has been against promoters without defeat for 37 games (32 wins, five draws). Cologne ranks fourth after the first defeat.
Assan Ouédraogo (13th minute) had brought the Leipzig lead before Jan Thielmann (23rd) was able to compensate for. Even before the change of sides, Rômulo (44th) and captain David Raum (45.+4) provided clear conditions with a double strike.
The former Schalke Ouédraogo, who played after the injuries of Xaver Schlager (Wade) and Antonio Nusa (armbruch), justified the trust of coach Ole Werner with his first goal in the RB jersey. When the Cologne back team could not clarify the ball after a corner, the U20 international shot the ball under the crossbar from three meters after he had failed in the first attempt at Marvin Schwäbe.
Thielmann (23rd) used the first Cologne chance to compensate. After a steep pass from ex-Leipziger Eric Martel, he pushed the ball into RB keeper Peter Gulacsi to 1-1. After that, RB, Romulo (43.), had the lead again on his foot, but did not get enough pressure on the ball out of nearby. In the stoppage time of the first half, captain of space increased by directly converted free kick to 3: 1.
After an hour, Cologne coach Lukas Kwasniok brought three fresh players. Joker Ragnar Ache (60th) had the connection goal on his foot, but mashed out of nearby. At Leipzig, Yan Diomande (59.) could have increased, he failed free-standing to FC goalkeeper Schwäbe. Leipzig then left the Rhineland too much space, took the pace out a bit and lurked mainly on the counterattack. In the end, Romulo shot down to the outside network.
It was a special afternoon for Leipzig’s record goal scorer Timo Werner. The 29 -year -old striker, who scored 113 goals in 213 games, was back in the matchday squad for the first time. During the warming, “Timo Werner” speakers echoed through the Red Bull Arena, which was sold out with 47,170 spectators.
The former national player, who no longer played a role in the Saxony squad planning, but still has a contract until summer 2026, benefited from the many injuries at RB. Coach Werner certified the attacker an impeccable training setting and promoted him to the squad for the first time. Werner had completed his last Bundesliga game for RB in November 2023 before his loan at the Premier League Club Tottenham Hotspur.