RBL see off Union Berlin with impressive 3-0 win
RB Leipzig victorious at the Alte Försterei | Xavi Simons scores once with Benjamin Šeško bagging a brace
RBL put an end to their losing run against Union!
After suffering 2-1 defeats in each of their last five meetings with 1. FC Union Berlin, RB Leipzig recorded a 3-0 win on matchday 3 in the Bundesliga.
In what was a tightly-contested match in Berlin, both sides entered into several tough tackles and remained compact. Neither team was able to record many chances in the first half, with Union going close thanks to a header from Kevin Volland (12'). Janis Blaswich was on hand to deny the striker the opening goal. RBL attempted several long-range efforts from Yussuf Poulsen (15'), Xavi Simons (18') and Xaver Schlager (33').
After the change of ends, Xavi put RBL ahead with a stunning finish from the edge of the box (51'). The Bulls became even more dominant after Volland was shown a straight red for a foul on Mohamed Simakan (64'), enjoying a man advantage for the final stages of the game.
Substitute Benjamin Šeško then put the game to bed with a late brace (85', 87'). His first goal was set up by Xavi, with our number 30 curling the ball in at the far post, before powering a header into the back of the net after linking up with Dani Olmo. In the end, RBL are able to return home with all three points in hand!
12th Minute: Blaswich with a great save
As expected, Union Berlin did not allow RBL much room in the opening minutes. The hosts were extremely physical and remained compact. The first chance of the game also belonged to the Berliners, but Janis Blaswich pulled off a great reflex save to deny Kevin Volland from close range, pushing his header away from goal.
18th Minute: First chances
RBL come close to opening the scoring. After getting on the end of a pass from Xavi Simons, Yussuf Poulsen takes aim from the edge of the box. His shot sails over the crossbar. Xavi later tests Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow with a long-range effort of his own, forcing the ‘keeper to push the ball over the bar.
30th Minute: Plenty of challenges
Both sides are getting stuck in, with lots of intense tackles. Benjamin Henrichs and Alex Kral are both shown early yellows.
33rd Minute: Schlager takes aim
Xaver Schlager has been putting in a solid performance so far, winning tackles and helping the team attack. He takes aim with an effort of his own, but his shot from nearly 30 metres out goes just wide of the left post.
40th Minute: Openda nearly beats Rönnow
Yussuf Poulsen sends Loïs Openda into the box, but the striker misses the target with his shot. The linesman’s flag was up anyways for offside.
51st Minute: Xavi scores a wonder goal
RBL take the lead after a stunning finish! Benjamin Henrichs finds Xavi Simons at the edge of the box, who smashes a first-time effort past Rönnow and under the bar. The Union goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent the goal!
64th Minute: Volland is sent off
Kevin Volland is shown a straight red card after a late tackle sees him kick Mohamed Simakan in the back of the leg.
76th Minute: Olmo goes close
Dani Olmo finds himself with some space in front of the box and takes aim. Just as it looks as though his shot will dip in under the bar, Rönnow is there to palm it over.
85th Minute: Šeško scores!
Xavi Simons does well to find Benjamin Šeško for our second of the night! The striker plays the ball to his right foot before curling it off the far post and into the back of the net.
87th Minute: Šeško at the double!
Another fine finish from Benjamin Šeško! The striker back-heels the ball to Dani Olmo, who chips a pass past the defence and back to our number 30, who powers a header past Rönnow to take the scoreline to 3-0!
Bundesliga | 1. FC Union Berlin – RB Leipzig
LINE-UPS
FCU: Rönnow – Leite, Doekhi (C), Gosens (86' Roussillon), Volland, Fofana (61' Hollerbach), Behrens (86' Kaufmann), Juranovic (71' Trimmel), Laïdouni (71' Haberer), Knoche, Kral
RBL: Blaswich – Simakan (67' Klostermann), Orbán (C), Olmo, Poulsen (75' Šeško), Openda (75' Baumgartner), Xavi (88' Forsberg), Raum, Schlager, Henrichs (88' Castello), Kampl
FCU substitutes: Schwolow (GK), Jaeckel, Bonucci, Kemlein
RBL substitutes: Zingerle (GK), Werner, Seiwald, Carvalho
GOALS
Xavi (51'), Šeško (85', 87')
RED CARDS
Volland (1st of the season)
YELLOW CARDS
Kral (1st of the season), Gosens (1st of the season) | Henrichs (1st of the season)
Officials:
Referee: Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheim)
First Assistant: Sven Waschitzki-Günther (Bremen)
Second Assistant: Arno Blos (Deisizau)
Fourth official: Robin Braun (Wuppertal)
Video Assistant Referee: Tobias Welz (Wiesbaden)
