RB Leipzig took the momentum from the DFB Cup with them to the Bundesliga, but also needed support from the referee in their win at Holstein Kiel.
Benjamin Sesko (27th minute) and Andre Silva scored after a controversial penalty (69th) to make it 2-0 (1-0). The Kiel team had previously called for a penalty in vain.
RB coach Marco Rose seemed to be in the ejection seat after the previous Bundesliga game against VfL Wolfsburg (1:5) – but just a week later the sun is shining again over the bull stable in Leipzig. And that’s because RB improved after winning 3-0 in the DFB Cup round of 16 in the Bundesliga. Not with cheer football, but with a resurgent defense, a goalscorer who finally has self-confidence again and a lot of refereeing luck.
The referee’s decisions remained the focus of attention even after the final whistle. “That’s very bitter. We were even better in the second half”said Kiel coach Marcel Rapp at the Sportschau microphone. Regarding the controversial decisions, he said: “There is a referee and a VAR, and if they decide that against us, then that will probably be the right thing to do. But from my point of view it is difficult to understand.”
Marco Rose, coach of RB Leipzig, also saw it that way. “In the end it was a victory of work, a victory of struggle”he said and explained about the penalty decisions: “If I were from Kiel, I would also have trouble.”
Leipzig’s Sesko does it on his own, as he did against Frankfurt
Sesko had perhaps been one of Leipzig’s biggest disappointments so far this season; he had only managed two Bundesliga goals. Like the entire team, the Slovenian’s personal sense of success against Frankfurt was obviously very good – as his goal to make it 1-0 impressively showed.
Sesko got the ball on the halfway line, ran and was unstoppable while dribbling. Kiel’s keeper Timon Weiner was able to parry his first shot, but he was powerless on his second attempt (27′). The striker had already put his team in the lead against Frankfurt with a strong individual action.
Klopp in the crosshairs of the Kiel curve
Otherwise, the game had little to look at, but that didn’t bother Leipzig that much because it had control of the game. Dangerous actions by the hosts? None.
However, there was still an unpleasant action by the Kiel fans. They protested with posters against RB and other donors in German professional football and formed Jürgen Klopp (head of football at Red Bull from the new year), Oliver Mintzlaff (managing director of Red Bull GmbH), Dietmar Hopp (patron of TSG Hoffenheim). and Martin Kind (ex-CEO of Hannover 96) in crosshairs. They are “the gravediggers of football”.
“I think it’s super smart if we don’t give all the stupid people a platform and just don’t talk about it.”said Rose after the game. He rated the poster as “hollow stuff”.
Leipzig benefits from two Penalty decisions
After the break there was football again – and good luck for Leipzig. Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi misjudged a cross and hit Marvin Schulz in the head, but there was no penalty (48th). Ten minutes later, Steven Skrzybski narrowly missed a low cross and the possible equalizer (58′).
And on the other hand, luck was also in RB’s favor, and Florian Badstübner was once again the focus. After Lois Openda fell, the referee awarded a penalty, although the television images showed only minimal contact on the arm. The problem: As with Gulacsi’s head hit on Schulz, Badstübner himself didn’t look at the pictures, his decision stood. Silve took advantage of this chance and made it 2-0 (69′).
Referee Florian Badstübner with Leipzig penalty taker Andre Silva
This moment finally pulled the plug on Kiel and not much else happened until the end of the game. Leipzig celebrated its first win after just one point from the last four league games. Kiel currently remains second to last with just five points.
Kiel in Gladbach, Leipzig against Frankfurt
Kiel is challenged away in Gladbach (December 14th, 3:30 p.m.). Leipzig plays at home against Eintracht Frankfurt (December 15th, 7:30 p.m.).