RB Leipzig is back in the Bundesliga title race. After seven attempts without a win, the German Cup winners again managed to win against Eintracht Frankfurt and at least jumped to fourth place in the table overnight. At 2:1 (2:0), Marco Rose's team showed a convincing performance, especially in the first half.
In front of 47,069 spectators in the sold-out Red Bull Arena, Timo Werner (6th minute) gave the Saxons an early lead against the Europa League winner with a stumbled goal. Then he played for Emil Forsberg (40th) to make it 2-0. Djibril Sow (61st) shortened for Frankfurt, who only woke up in the second half. With 42 points, Leipzig is keeping up with the top trio. Eintracht had to accept a setback in the fight for the premier class places and remains in sixth place with 38 points.
When the two companions from Salzburg met again, the coaches Marco Rose and Oliver Glasner had to do without Lukas Klostermann and Mario Götze for a short time, both of whom were out due to adductor problems. Rose also brought in the Dane Yussuf Poulsen, who was hard at training, for the ex-Frankfurter André Silva. After the 1-1 draw against Manchester City, Kevin Kampl was preferred to Xaver Schlager in the starting XI this time because, according to Rose, he "simply deserved it". Glasner even made four changes after the 2-0 defeat against Naples and relied on captain Sebastian Rode again.
Voller in the stadium
After 1:28 minutes, Marcel Halstenberg had the lead from close range on his foot after Eintracht goalkeeper Kevin Trapp let a Poulsen input bounce off forward. Forsberg went just wide of the visitors' goal shortly afterwards, but was there when Tuta slipped up. The Swede sent Werner through and the national striker maneuvered the ball into the goal with a lot of luck despite a blunder. Under the eyes of DFB sports director Rudi Völler, Werner ended his goal drought that had lasted for four competitive games.
In the 23rd minute, Werner could have followed up from 13 meters, but Hrvoje Smolcic literally threw himself into the shot. Then Trapp saved against the free Konrad Laimer (24th). The Hessians found the game sluggish and were not present enough in the duels. Although RB made a few dropouts in defensive midfield, Eintracht did not use these mistakes. The lightning-fast Randal Kolo Muani and Jesper Lindström ran over the RB defense several times from the wing positions, but the crucial pass didn't arrive.
Dream combination to 2:0
Eintracht got the first chance to score thanks to a free kick in the 33rd minute, which Philipp Max shot into the RB wall. Leipzig continued the game. After a dream combination of Dominik Szoboszlai and Werner, Forsberg made it 2-0.
After the change, Eintracht increased. RB keeper Janis Blaswich was tested for the first time by Lindstrom (51st) and Kolo Muani (52nd). Sow then hammered the ball into the goal from ten meters out before Blaswich prevented the equalizer against Lindström (66'). On the other side, Laimer (67th/85th) missed twice free-standing. Shortly before the end, Trapp prevented another goal from a header by substitute Silva.
