RB Leipzig brushed aside TSG Hoffenheim in the opening game of matchday 27, running out 5-0 winners at home. The Red Bulls were able to pick up three important points in the race for the Champions League, having effectively wrapped things up by half-time.

Brajan Gruda opened the scoring, pouncing from close range to net on the rebound (17’). RBL kept the pressure on and soon had a second: after a corner, David Raum delivered another cross as Christoph Baumgartner rose at the far post to head home for 2-0 (21’).

The highlight of the evening came before the interval. Gruda picked out Baumgartner, who cushioned the ball on his chest before finishing spectacularly with a side-volley (30’). Shortly afterwards, Gruda grabbed his second of the night, slotting home Yan Diomande’s pass from close range (44’).

Diomande appeared to have added a fifth in first-half injury time, but saw his effort ruled out due to an offside in the build-up (45’+4).

Leipzig remained firmly in control after the break. Benjamin Henrichs added his name to the scoresheet in the 78th minute, just moments after coming off the bench, meeting Antonio Nusa’s clever pass and firing in from a tight angle under the bar (5-0).

Overall, the Red Bulls were extremely clinical on the night, recording a statement win in the fight for Champions League football.