For Union Berlin it was an evening to forget. In the end, the “Iron” had to admit defeat against RB Leipzig when they were outnumbered.
The 20th matchday in the Bundesliga ends with the duel between RB Leipzig and Union Berlin. In the end, the Saxons deservedly won 2-0 (1-0). Marco Rose’s team was able to score three points for the first time in four games and remain fifth in the table (36 points) behind Borussia Dortmund (37). The Iron Men, who recently scored seven points from four games, remain stuck in 15th place with one game less.
Leipzig’s Loïs Openda gave RB the lead in the eleventh minute. Teammate Benjamin Sesko added shortly after the restart (48th minute). Union’s Christopher Trimmel caused an unpleasant scene when he was shown a red card in the 73rd minute after a serious foul on national player David Raum.
That’s how the game went
In the constant rain, the Saxons immediately took control of the game, but the “Irons” offered little opportunity to get through with their compact five-man chain. This was often only possible with short passing games and – as RB coach Rose had demanded before the game – “with flashes of inspiration”.
Just like with Openda, who hammered the ball, which was not cleared by the Union defense, almost from the baseline from an acute angle into the far corner over keeper Alexander Schwolow, who was replacing the ill Frederik Rönnow. Seven minutes later, Schwolow prevented the Belgian from scoring his 15th goal of the season with a brilliant performance against the free-standing Openda.
Then, as in other stadiums at the weekend, the match had to be briefly interrupted in the 26th minute due to fans’ protests against the German Football League (DFL) investor deal. Small balls or objects resembling marbles or bouncy balls were thrown onto the lawn from the Union fan block. After the field was cleared, referee Marco Fritz continued the game.
Towards the end of the first half, Union got into the game better. Winter newcomer Yorbe Vertessen (31st) headed a ball harmlessly onto the goal on his debut – no problem for Gulacsi. On the other side, Schwolow brilliantly fished a header from Sesko (45th + 2) off the line after a corner from David Raum.
After the change, RB followed up. Raum curled a free kick from the left half directly onto the head of Sesko, who was running in at the near post (48th), who made it 2-0. Schwolow (53′) then parried a long-range shot from Dani Olmo before being too late for another header from Sesko (57′). Lucky for the keeper: the goal was canceled after being checked by the video assistant.
After a good hour, Union did more for the offense and got into good positions up to the penalty area, but the accuracy of the last pass was lacking – or RB defended well. Although defense chief Orban was substituted in the 70th minute, RB managed its first clean sheet since October 28, 2023 in a 6-0 win against Cologne.