Newcomers Simons and Sesko decide RB Leipzig’s duel with Union Berlin – red for Volland

Bonucci debut postponed

With an artful shot by Xavi Simons and a double strike by Benjamin Sesko, RB Leipzig overcame its Union trauma and also ended the impressive home run of the Berliners. After the last five defeats against the “Iron” in the Bundesliga, the Saxons prevailed 3-0 (0-0).

It was Union’s first defeat at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei after 24 league games. Curious: Even in the last defeat so far, the 0: 3 against Borussia Dortmund in February 2022, the name of the guest coach was Marco Rose. The Dutchman Simons (51st minute) put Leipzig in the lead. Substitute Sesko’s two goals (85′, 87′) made the final score.

RB prevented a false start in the league and climbed to fourth place in the table ahead of the Berliners with their second win of the season. In front of 22,012 spectators in the sold-out arena, Union striker Kevin Volland (64th) saw the red card after a foul on Mohamed Simakan.

Another enormously eventful week ended with a setback for Union, although Sunday had got off to a good start. The first big round of applause erupted almost 90 minutes before the game from the Union fans who were already there. Leonardo Bonucci stepped onto the lawn in the stadium at the Alte Försterei for the first time on a match day. The Italian European champions are a symbol, practically the icing on the cake for the rapid rise of the Irons into the continental football elite.

You don’t have to “pinch” yourself, said club boss Dirk Zingler before kick-off on the “DAZN” microphone, but this week was “special” with Real Madrid as the drawn Champions League opponent, Robins Gosens as the first current DFB international and Bonucci’s arrival from Juventus Turin. The star defender sat on the bench first, that’s just the way it is with the “iron”. From there, Bonucci saw a game of the Scanning category.

The mutual respect was palpable. Leipzig had lost five times in a row 1:2 against Köpenicker in the league. “We want to stay true to ourselves and appear confident. We know exactly what to expect,” said coach Rose. In fact, the Saxons did not let themselves be taken by surprise as in previous Union appearances. The rooms were blocked, a chance was lurking up front, but again there was no room for Timo Werner in this concept.

The Berliners had only one chance in the first half with a header from Volland (13′). Since delivering and preventing chances is also a genuine Union quality, Leipzig only had two chances to shoot through Youssuf Poulsen (15th) and the very agile Simons (18th). It wasn’t particularly dangerous.

Bonucci warmed up with the other substitutes at the break, high fives for new teammates Robin Knoche and Danilho Doekhi as they re-entered the pitch. From the bench, the Italian saw how Simons felt the ball from around 18 meters into the Union goal. It was the first gap in the Berlin defense.

Union reacted hectically and unhappily. Volland hit Simakan from behind with a sliding tackle. Referee Daniel Schlager pulled out the red card. Outnumbered, Union found no way to avert defeat. In the final quarter of an hour it was temporarily quiet in the stadium because of an emergency doctor’s call in the away block. Sesko made the decision with his first two Bundesliga goals.

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