RB Leipzig lose 2-1 to Union Berlin
Poulsen gives RBL the lead (46’) | Late goals from Michel (86’) and Behrens (89’) turn game for Union | New RBL attendance record in the Bundesliga | 45,770 fans in attendance
RB Leipzig’s unbeaten run has come to an end. After 15 games without defeat, Domenico Tedesco’s side lost 2-1 to Union Berlin in front of 45,770 fans (RBL Bundesliga record) at the Red Bull Arena.
After a close first half in which Union had the better chances, Yussuf Poulsen got his side off to the best possible start after the break when he found the back of the net in the 46th minute. However, the visitors were able to turn the game in their favour late on through goals from substitutes Sven Michel (86’) and Kevin Behrens (89’).
The missed opportunity sees the race for Champions League football close up. Leverkusen have overtaken RBL to reclaim third place. Leipzig now sit one point behind Bayer in fourth, and two points ahead of fifth-place Freiburg.
See also:
Statistics:
RB LEIPZIG:
Gulácsi (C) – Simakan, Angelino, Orban, Poulsen (64' Silva), Forsberg (64' Olmo), Adams, Nkunku (75' Szoboszlai), Mukiele (83' Henrichs), Halstenberg, Kampl (64' Laimer)
1. FC UNION BERLIN:
Rönnow - Jaeckel, Khedira, Schäfer (68' Vogelsammer), Awoniyi (85' Behrens), Prömel, Gießelmann (76' Oczipka), Becker, Trimmel (C, 76' Ryerson), Knoche, Heintz (85' Michel)
REFEREE:
Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheim)
GOALS:
1-0 Poulsen (46'), 1-1 Michel (86'), 1-2 Behrens (89')
ATTENDANCE:
45,770, Red Bull Arena (Home sections sold out)
YELLOW CARDS:
Olmo (2nd of season), Adams (4th)| Behrens (1st), Rönnow (1st)
First half highlights:
Kick off:
We’re underway at the Red Bull Arena. Head coach Domenico Tedesco makes six changes to the side that took on Union Berlin in mid week: Nordi Mukiele, Marcel Halsteberg, Kevin Kampl, Tyler Adams, Emil Forsberg and Yussuf Poulsen come into the starting XI.
2nd minute:
Union begin the game well and almost get off to the perfect start. Sheraldo Becker crosses from the left, Taiwo Awoniyi meets it with a header and Péter Gulácsi is forced into a top save. The rebound falls to Christopher Trimmel, who heads into the side netting.
20th minute:
Both teams are taking a cautious approach so far. RBL are the slightly more attacking side and have had 60% possession so far, but the visitors are secure at the back and have prevented Tedesco’s side from having a shot so far.
30th minute:
It’s a still a similar story. RBL have had more control of the play, but can’t break down a solid Union defence as the visitors still focus on the counter attack. No more chances at either end.
38th minute:
Union with a half chance. Trimmel is played down the right but volleys the bouncing ball over the bar. At the other end, am RBL ball into the box is cleared away.
44th minute:
Gulácsi on hand again. Awoniyi dribbles past both Angeliño and Simakan and gets into the area where he finds Grischa Prömel, but his shot is saved well by our captain. A great save!
47th minute:
The visitors come close again! Trimmel shoots from 24 meters and sees his shot rock the bar.
Half time:
A tough fight here with the two sides perhaps feeling the after effects of Wednesday’s intense game. RBL have had more possession but the three main chances have all gone Union’s way. Luckily, Péter Gulácsi has ensured the scores are level.
Second half highlights:
46th minute, GOAL for RBL!
Goal with our first shot of the game! Christopher Nkunku's cross from the left is headed away by Prömel right into the path of Yussuf Poulsen. Our number 9 shoots with his first touch and fires into the bottom left corner with his left foot. That’s Yussi’s sixth goal of the season! 1-0.
59th minute:
The visitors appeal for a penalty after Mukiele’s leg makes contact with Gießelmann after the defender blocked the Union man’s shot. After a lengthy check at the pitchside monitor, referee Daniel Schlager decides against awarding a penalty.
64th minute:
Triple change for RBL: Konrad Laimer, Dani Olmo and André Silva are on in place of Kevin Kampl, Emil Forsberg and Yussuf Poulsen.
73rd minute:
RBL have taken more control of the game and are increasing the pressure! Mohamed Simakan is brought down in the box. Play is initially allowed to continue and Mukiele picks up the ball and shoots past Ronnow, but his shot hits the inside of the post and bounces clear. A retrospective VAR check on the tackle on Simakan comes to nothing.
75th minute:
Next change for RBL: Nkunku is off, Dominik Szoboszlai comes on. RBL seem to be in control here, but Union look to be trying to play more offensively.
86th minute, GOAL for Union:
Union level the game late on. Substitute Sven Michel with a diving header at the front post to square things up.
89th minute, GOAL for Union:
Just three minutes later, the visitors lead. Michel is the provider this time, his backheel being turned home by fellow substitute Kevin Behrens. 2-1 to Union.
Full time:
A first defeat in over two months for RBL thanks to two very late goals from Union to turn the game. On to the next one – still lots to play for this season.