2-1 defeat against Union Berlin
RBL dealt first home league defeat of the season | Union turn the game around in second half | Late Poulsen equaliser ruled out
RB Leipzig lost 2-1 to Union Berlin on Bundesliga matchday 20. Despite leading at half time, the Red Bulls fell to defeat after two Union goals in the second half.
RBL enjoyed more of the ball throughout the game, with the visitors happy to sit deep and lurk on the counter. Benjamin Henrichs fired a shot into the top corner from outside the area to give his side the lead (24’). André Silva had another chance to double the lead (32nd), while the first real chance for Union coming in the 38th minute. Geraldo Becker was slipped in behind and had a shot that was creeping in across goal, but Janis Blaswich was able to deflect his left-footed shot around the post with his fingertips.
Union were more active in their press in the second half and scored two goals off the back of set pieces. A corner kick was only headed out as far as Janik Haberer, who caught the ball sweetly to volley into the top corner from outside the area (60’). In the 72nd minute, a high bouncing ball caused problems and Mo Simakan was penalised for a handball in the penalty area. Robin Knoche converted from the spot and the visitors were ahead with just under 20 minutes remaining.
Leipzig threw everything at the side from the capital, but can count themselves unlucky not to have drawn. Yussuf Poulsen had the ball in the back of the net in the 78th minute, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR intervention. Poulsen came close on two occasions during added time but the ball just wouldn’t go in and RBL saw their 18-game unbeaten run come to an end.
Highlights #RBLFCU
Match information:
RB Leipzig:
Blaswich – Simakan (74' Poulsen), Werner, Klostermann, Szoboszlai, Silva (74' Forsberg), Halstenberg (C) (88' Raum), Schlager, Laimer (62' Haidara), Gvardiol, Henrichs
Unused subs: Nyland – Orbán, Ba, Kampl
1. FC Union Berlin:
Rønnow – Doekhi, Knoche, Leite, Juranovic, Gießelmann (81' Seguin), Khedira (C), Laidouni (86' Thorsby), Haberer (80' Roussilon), Behrens (62' Siebatcheu), Becker (62' Michel)
Unused subs: Grill – Baumgartl, Trimmel, Leweling
REFEREE:
Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheim)
GOALS:
1-0 Henrichs (24'), 1-1 Haberer (60'), 1-2 Knoche (72', penalty)
ATTENDANCE:
47,069, Red Bull Arena
YELLOW CARDS:
Halstenberg (2nd), Schlager (3rd), Werner (2nd), Poulsen (1st) | Knoche (3rd), Laidouni (2nd), Siebatcheu (1st), Leite (2nd)
First half highlights:
The teams held a minute's silence to remember the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
1ST MINUTE:
Underway at the Red Bull Arena!
6TH MINUTE:
As expected, Union are happy for RBL to have more of the possession and are sitting compact.
9TH MINUTE:
Urs Fischer’s side are looking to hit on the counter attack. So far, RBL have coped well with the visitors’ threat.
10TH MINUTE:
Kevin Behrens puts the ball into the area but Konrad Laimer is there to clear.
22ND MINUTE:
RBL have had almost 70% possession but are yet to record a shot. There has been little to report from either end so far.
24TH MINUTE, GOOOAAL FOR RBL:
There’s the opener! Benjamin Henrichs cuts in from the left and shoots from outside the area. Rønnow can get a hand to it but can’t stop it flying in the top corner.
28TH MINUTE:
Union look for the answer and Juranovic puts the ball into the area. It’s cleared by the RBL defence.
32ND MINUTE:
Szobo’s corner finds André Silva in the area but his effort is blocked.
38TH MINUTE:
Best chance of the game so far for Union! Becker is played into the area on the left and shoots across goal. It looks to be creeping just inside the far post, but Blaswich pulls off a fingertip save! Even better, the officials award a goal kick.
42 MINUTE:
A long ball up to Becker could be dangerous, but Mo Simakan does brilliantly to dispossess the Union man.
HALF TIME:
So far, so good. RBL have been more in control of the play, with Benjamin Henrichs’ goal the difference. The visitors are only threatening through the odd counter attack so far.
#RBLFCU in photos
Second half highlights:
46TH MINUTE:
Both teams are unchanged to begin the second 45.
47TH MINUTE:
The visitors area pressing a bit higher to begin the half.
53RD MINUTE:
Szobo finds Silva, but he shoots over the bar from around the edge of the area.
56TH MINUTE:
Union continue to operate with long balls through the midfield.
61ST MINUTE, GOAL FOR UNION:
A corner kick is headed away to the edge of the area, but Haberer connects with it perfectly on the volley, sending the ball into the top-left corner and leaving Janis with no chance.
63RD MINUTE:
First change for RBL: Amadou Haidara comes on for Konrad Laimer.
71ST MINUTE, PENALTY FOR UNION:
Mo Simakan is penalised for a handball in the area.
72ND MINUTE, GOAL FOR UNION:
Robin Knoche sends it down the middle as Blaswich dives.
74TH MINUTE:
Emil Forsberg and Yussuf Poulsen come on as Silva and Simakan make way.
78TH MINUTE:
Yussuf Poulsen scores! Unfortunately the goal is disallowed due to an offside call on Timo Werner after a VAR intervention. That was a very dubious call.
84TH MINUTE:
It’s all RBL here as they push for the equaliser. Union are rock solid at the back though, sitting very deep and lurking on the counter.
89TH MINUTE:
Six minutes added on.
93RD MINUTE:
A cross into the area is flicked towards the back post by Forsberg. It misses Poulsen by inches and goes agonisingly wide of the far post.
93RD MINUTE:
Another cross into the area, this time to the back post, finds Xaver Schlager. He heads back across goal and Poulsen heads it, but Rønnow saves and Union scramble behind for a corner.
FULL TIME:
Union hold on for the win and RBL’s eighteen-game unbeaten run comes to an end.