RB Leipzig works its way to victory

RB Leipzig remains unbeaten in the current Bundesliga season and has shown a reaction to the Champions League defeat against Juventus Turin. Coach Marco Rose’s team won 1-0 (0-0) at 1. FC Heidenheim and thereby consolidated their place in the top group. Belgian international striker Lois Openda scored in the 59th minute for RB, who improved after the break.

Four days earlier, Leipzig had lost a 2-1 lead against Juve in the premier class and lost 2-3. The Saxons are already under pressure in the European Cup. Things have been going well for Leipzig in the league so far, and they now have 14 points. FCH is in the middle of the table with five points less.

As usual in the weeks in which the Heidenheimers also play internationally, coach Frank Schmidt rotated properly after the 2-1 win against Olimpija Ljubljana in the Conference League and converted his starting eleven to six positions. The hosts’ plan to stop Leipzig’s attacks early on largely worked in the first half.

The highlights of the first 45 minutes could be counted on one hand. Leipzig’s Openda flew under a cross (4th) and aimed a header too inaccurately (43rd), his strike partner Benjamin Sesko fired a low shot to the left of the goal (33rd). RB had the best chance shortly before the break when things finally went quickly, but Xavi Simons was denied by FCH keeper Kevin Müller after a combination over several stations (42nd).

Guest goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi initially had less to do than his counterpart. The game was characterized by intense duels for a long time – and was initially quite tough.

After the break, RB increased the pressure and established themselves in the opponent’s half for a longer period of time. Sesko scored after a free kick from national player David Raum to give the Saxons the supposed lead (52nd). Referee Sascha Stegemann looked at the scene again after a tip from the video assistant and took the goal back – Leipzig’s Willi Orban had fouled Heidenheim’s Patrick Mainka and he was then unable to prevent Sesko from heading the ball.

Shortly later the guests were able to celebrate: Antonio Nusa sent Openda over the right side and he scored with a shot into the near corner. RB deserved the goal. But he also woke up the people of Heidenheim again.

Jan Schöppner hammered the ball onto the crossbar (68′), Leipzig’s goalkeeper Gulacsi parried against Marvin Pieringer and Adrian Beck within a few seconds (73′). In the final phase, FCH continued to scratch at a possible draw, but couldn’t manage it. For Leipzig, Openda narrowly missed his second goal when he hit the post (88th).