SC Freiburg also failed to win its eleventh away game in Leipzig. Leipzig improved after a tough first half and deservedly won 2-0 (0-0) on Wednesday evening. A double strike at the start of the second half paved the way for Leipzig’s success.
First, Willi Orban powerfully headed in from a free kick (53rd minute). Less than three minutes later, Rômulo was there with Leipzig’s second goal, again with a header, again from a standard. Because Freiburg came up with far too little even after falling behind, Leipzig’s victory was more than okay: 21:1 shots on goal in favor of the Saxons spoke for themselves.
After the weather-related cancellation of Leipzig’s game against St. Pauli, RB managed a successful start to the 2026 football year. Leipzig consolidated third place in the table, while Freiburg remained securely in midfield.
Leipzig coach Werner: “Very good start to the year”
“It was a good start to the year“said RB coach Ole Werner to Sportschau after the game.”Very disciplined, top performance defensively. Offensively we became much clearer in the second half. Overall it was a very stable game for us.”
“We did a lot of things well in the first half, especially defensively“said Freiburg coach Julian Schuster.”The last ball was often missed in order to have more shots on goal. But we must strive to make more of our situations.”
Freiburg B-Central defense keeps Leipzig in check
The Freiburg team, in which Anthony Jung and starting eleven Bruno Ogbus formed the replacement central defense duo due to several failures, had made an effort to maintain stability from the start. Julian Schuster’s team seemed to have gone into the game with a clear plan of condensing the center and dropping quickly and deep when they lost the ball.
Accordingly, the Leipzig team had a difficult time finding space in their offensive game. It took until the 31st minute of the game for the hosts to create a chance: Nicolas Seiwald dynamically penetrated the penalty area and played a one-two with striker Rômulo. The Austrian’s shot from close range ended up being too central and Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu was there.
Good performance in the season debut: Ogbus (20 years old) in a duel with Leipzig’s Romulo
Leipzig has no wings without Diomandé
RB initially didn’t manage to do much more; Yan Diomandé’s absence was definitely noticeable. The high-flyer of the Leipzig season was initially given a break after his appearances at the Africa Cup. At least, as is so often the case under coach Ole Werner, the Leipzig team were very well organized defensively, so that the Freiburg offensive was not able to develop at all.
Only one (safer) shot found its way into the Leipzig goal in the first 45 minutes. In no other game of the season were there so few SC players in the first half. Nevertheless, the Freiburg team seemed to be quite satisfied with the result and the course of the game and took their time several times to continue the game.
Leipzig double strike according to standards
However, Freiburg’s extremely defensive approach quickly took revenge in the second half. Willi Orban powerfully headed in a sharp free kick from David Raum to give Leipzig the lead.
Less than three minutes later, Leipzig struck again – again from a standard. This time it was a corner that created space in front of the goal. Christoph Baumgartner’s header attempt was parried by Atubolu, and Rômulo was successful in the follow-up. “We put standards on the menu again separately in the training camp“Revealed Werner after the game.”The boys are very focused in training, are really keen on the topic, and that means we win games because of it.”
Leipzig dominates the second half
Because Leipzig was the more active team in the first half, RB earned the lead. But what was really remarkable was that Leipzig was only now really turning up the heat. With the score 2-0 behind them, the ball ran much faster through their own ranks, and shots like Baumgartner’s shot off the post (67′) became more frequent.
Freiburg coach Julian Schuster tried to give his team a little more creativity through substitutions, but neither Vincenzo Grifo nor Igor Matanovic were able to contribute as jokers. Leipzig, on the other hand, brought in Diomandé and Antonio Nusa, who both got into the game brilliantly and caused danger on several occasions with great enthusiasm.
A lot of fun playing after being substituted: Leipzig’s Nusa (l.) and Diomandé
In the end, Freiburg had to be satisfied that they had “only” conceded two goals. In the twelfth Bundesliga game in a row, RB remained unbeaten against Breisgauer, who, as so often, had to leave Saxony without any points.
Leipzig against Bayern, Freiburg in Augsburg
Leipzig welcomes Bayern Munich for the top game on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m.). At the start of the first half of the season, Leipzig were defeated 6-0 in Munich – Werner’s team will now be looking to make amends. Freiburg will be guests at FC Augsburg on Sunday evening (5.30 p.m.).