RB Leipzig stops crisis: victory against Union Berlin

RB crisis stopped

RB Leipzig has ended its sporting crisis with the return of veterans Páter Gulácsi and Willi Orbán and dealt Union Berlin a new setback without coach Nenad Bjelica, who is still missing due to suspension. Cup winners Leipzig won 2-0 (1-0) on Sunday and achieved their first win of 2024 after three defeats in a row. The Saxons thus reduced the gap to Borussia Dortmund in fourth place in the Bundesliga to one point.

The Iron Men, who recently scored seven points from four games, remain stuck in 15th place with one game less. Loïs Openda gave Leipzig the lead (11th minute) in front of 44,032 spectators, Benjamin Sesko (48th) increased the lead with a header. Union captain Christopher Trimmel (73rd) had to leave the field with a red card after a tough challenge against David Raum. For the Berliners, it was the second game without Bjelica, who was suspended for three games after his handwipe against Munich’s Leroy Sané.

After the 2:5 debacle in Stuttgart and the winless streak of four games, Rose made five changes and relied on “stability and charisma” with the veterans Gulácsi and Orbán. Before kick-off, the coach said on the streaming service DAZN: “We need someone who will take things into his own hands, that’s what we hope for from Willi and Pete.” The Hungarian national goalkeeper was in for the first time after 491 days, while his national team colleague Orban was out after 154 days due to injury the starting eleven.

In the constant rain, the Saxons immediately took control of the game, but the Eisernen offered little opportunity to get through with their compact five-man chain. This was often only possible with short passing games and – as Rose had demanded – “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 hand, Schwolow brilliantly fished a header from Benjamin 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.

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