RB Leipzig is clearly on course for the Champions League after an easy win against Union Berlin. The Köpenickers were still well served with the 1:3 defeat in the end.
Leipzig celebrated its fifth win in a row and is heading towards participation in the Champions League in third place with 62 points.
For Union, which has to look further down with 32 points, it was the second defeat under new head coach Marie-Louise Eta. Before the game, the Leipzig team faced accusations of sexism because of a social media post about Union’s coach.
Max Finkgräfe (22nd minute) and Romulo (25th) gave Leipzig a 2-0 half-time lead. Ridle Baku (63rd) made it 3-0 after the break. Danilho Doekhi (78th) only made the defeat more bearable from Union’s point of view with his goal to make the final score 1:3.
The Leipzig team only needed a short time to warm up, but then clearly dictated the game: After seven minutes, Antonio Nusa broke through for the first time in the penalty area, Union keeper Frederik Rönnow made the save – but right at the feet of Christoph Baumgartner, who managed to put the ball next to the goal from five meters. Two minutes later, Tom Rothe lost the ball in midfield with almost serious consequences: Yan Diomande served Romulo, who was running with him – Rönnow parried strongly and prevented the team from falling behind.
Leipzig is strong offensively – Diomande as a preparer
The Köpenickers, who had fired more shots on goal than ever in the Bundesliga during head coach Eta’s debut, found themselves under heavy pressure early on. It seemed only a matter of time for Leipzig to take the lead – after just over 20 minutes the time had come: Diomande was once again the starting point with one of his tempo runs down the right. Leopold Querfeld headed his cross centrally in front of the penalty area while trying to clear it – so the ball became the perfect template for Finkgräfe, who scored from 20 meters.
Union’s defense chief Querfeld also cut an unfortunate figure when conceding the second goal: first he misjudged a long ball in a running duel with Romulo, then he failed to return the header to his keeper – Leipzig’s center forward put the ball past Rönnow and slotted in to make it 2-0.
After 30 minutes, Rönnow, clearly the best Berliner up to that point, had to leave the field due to an injury. It looked like a very bitter evening for Union early on. Carl Klaus took over the place between the posts – and was able to distinguish himself straight away: the substitute keeper directed Baumgartner’s header onto the crossbar with a strong reaction. Five minutes before the break, the crossbar saved Union again, again after a Baumgartner header that was deflected by Christopher Trimmel, but again Klaus still had his finger on it.
Union overwhelmed – “Expected Goal” value of 0.0 at halftime
The Leipzig offensive continued. Union only came to their first dangerous approach to the goal in stoppage time in the first half. This required a miss from El-Chadaille Bitshiabu, who was the last man to lay the ball on Oliver Burke. Burke suddenly had a clear path, but then missed miserably against Leipzig keeper Maarten Vandevoordt, who took the ball from his foot. So it remained with an “expected goal” value of 0.0, which the data service providers reported for Union at halftime.
Nothing changed in the balance of power in the second half. Leipzig kept the intensity high – and stepped on the accelerator again and again: The outstanding Diomande drew three opponents towards him in the penalty area, then passed perfectly through to Ridle Baku. The right-back put the ball past the Union keeper after contact to make it 3-0.
After a little more than an hour, all hopes that Union could find a way back into the game were finally dashed. The Leipzig team continued to be keen to play: Musa (66′) and Romulo (68′), albeit from a suspicious offside position, left great chances for the fourth goal.
But the Berliners scored a rather surprising first goal. Doekhi was not significantly disturbed after a corner. Keeper Vandeovoort was no longer able to deflect the ball decisively.
The Leipzig team were also closer to scoring more goals in the final phase. Baumgartner (81st) missed the next 100% chance. Substitute Johan Bakayoko
scored Leipzig’s third aluminum goal of the evening.
Leipzig in Leverkusen, Union against Cologne
Leipzig will be guests at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m.). Union welcomes 1. FC Köln on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.).
