RB Leipzig celebrated a resounding victory in the capital at the end of the 23rd Bundesliga matchday. The Saxons benefited significantly from a red card against Hertha BSC.
Corona outbreak, red card and the next bitter home bankruptcy: The need at Hertha BSC is getting bigger. At the end of the 23rd match day, the Berliners lost 1: 6 (0: 1) to Champions League aspirant RB Leipzig in the Olympic Stadium despite great commitment and a lot of passion. It was the biggest home defeat for the Berliners this season.
“We are brutally disappointed. The result is amazing. If you look at the game, we saw two different games. Up to 2-1 and after 2-1,” said Bobic at DAZN, adding with a view to the many Corona -Cases added: “We weren’t far from having to file a motion not to play the game.”
In a long-fought game in front of 10,000 fans, Benjamin Henrichs gave Leipzig the lead in the 20th minute with a deflected shot, Steven Jovetic (48th) equalized after the break. Then Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku struck with a three-minute brace (64th, penalty kick and 67th) against Hertha, who were now outnumbered. Marc-Oliver Kempf saw the red card after an emergency brake against Nkunku (62nd). Dani Olmo (74′), Amadou Haidara (82′) and Yussuf Poulsen (88′) boosted the result.
Hertha with the eighth central defender duo this season
Coach Tayfun Korkut’s team, weakened by another six corona cases, is still waiting for its first win this year and is only one place and one point ahead of the relegation rank. The guests from Leipzig maintained fourth place in the table with their sixth win against Hertha in the Olympic Stadium in their sixth duel.
Korkut had to reorganize his defense again due to his personnel shortage, Hertha played with the eighth different central defender pair in a back four this season. And the players in front of them also initially withdrew a long way so as not to let Leipzig play their fast game when they won the ball.
What can happen when the ball starts rolling at Leipzig became apparent in the ninth minute. But Nordi Mukiele aimed too imprecisely. He was one of seven new players in RB’s starting line-up compared to the 2-2 Real Sociedad 72 hours earlier.
Just like Yussuf Poulsen, who a little later in the Berlin penalty area attracted several Herthan players and then hung up on Henrichs, who had also joined the team. The three-time national player was able to pull away fairly easily, goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow cleared with his legs, but let the ball bounce off in such a way that Henrichs – still quite free – was able to try again. Deflected by Linus Gechter, the ball landed in the goal.
Game flow hardly came up over long phases
However, the goal did not serve to spark the spectacle, even if Leipzig had other opportunities. Fouls also interrupted the somewhat sluggish flow of the game. The Hertha team, who have a total of eight corona cases among their professionals, also came dangerously in front of the Leipzig goal here and there. A header from Ishak Belfodil went past, Jovetic failed with a free kick to RB keeper Peter Gulacsi (36th), Marco Richter headed over it.
Jovetic did better shortly after the break after Korkut had given final instructions in the cabin aisle. Leipzig’s Haidara lost the ball in midfield and Jovetic started practically from his own half. Nobody attacked, Jovetic pulled and the shot was deflected by Josko Gvardiol. And now Hertha pressed, especially Jovetic caused danger and just missed the lead (54th). This was achieved on the other side by Nkunku with a penalty. Shortly thereafter, the prolific Frenchman sealed his twelfth defeat of the season before Olmo, Haidara and Poulsen were also able to celebrate.