RB Leipzig still cannot win away from home. The Saxons failed to pick up three points in their tenth away game in a row, conceding a not undeserved 2-1 defeat at Union Berlin – the third successive defeat for RB.
After the unfortunate 1:2 in Frankfurt, when Union literally lost in the last second, coach Urs Fischer decided to make three personnel changes: Ryerson and Gießelmann were preferred to Trimmel and Oczipka on the flanks, while Haraguchi made way for Becker. As a result, Kruse moved a little further back.
While the Eisern only made minor tactical changes, the Saxons, who were plagued by injuries, took a different approach. Under the guidance of assistant coach Marco Kurth, who was in charge in the absence of coach Jesse Marsch and Co Achim Beierlorzer (both COVID-19), the Leipzig team played in a 3-4-3. In terms of personnel, four new players were on the pitch compared to the 1:3 against Leverkusen: Gulacsi returned between the posts in place of Martinez, and Henrichs, Adams and Szoboszlai were also given preference over Kampl, Forsberg and Brobbey (all on the bench).
Disastrous RB start
Leipzig made a disastrous start to the game and found themselves trailing after just six minutes: Following a corner, first Henrichs was denied by Baumgartl and then Gvardiol by Awoniyi, the Nigerian then celebrating the early 1:0.
It was the start of a lively phase in which the Eisern made the better impression, but Kruse missed a great chance for the second goal when he shot narrowly wide left from five metres (12th).
Nkunku tried a long-range shot from 25 metres and was lucky that Union keeper Luthe let the ball slip through his fingers (13). The equaliser gave the Saxons fresh courage. All of a sudden, RB was there and made the game more open.
It developed into a fast-paced duel between two teams that met on equal terms. Thanks to a gallant tackling in midfield, Union won the ball again and again and had chances to turn the ball over, but they were just as unable to capitalise as RB, who, thanks to their greater individual class and the multitude of their enormously fast players, were always in danger. But because Luthe was on the spot against Szoboszlai (17th) and Silva’s header from five metres missed narrowly (40th), the score went into the break at 1-1.
The second half began rather sluggishly. Both teams fought each other in midfield and neutralised each other to a large extent. A resting ball, however, created the atmosphere in the stadium again: After Gießelmann’s corner, Laimer deflected a Kruse shot unhappily to the feet of Baumgartl – 2-1 (57th).
Leipzig lack ideas
With the snow falling harder and harder, Kurth wanted to turn things around with offensive changes (Forsberg for Henrichs, 64.; Kampl for Laimer, 70.). But the Leipzigers lacked sparkling ideas against a tightly stacked and well-sorted Berlin team. Even a plus in possession was of no avail.
There was no sign of a comeback from the visitors, the opposite was more the case. In the dense snow, the Eisernen created chance after chance and could have made everything clear early on. However, Haraguchi shot just wide (81st), while Behrens (83rd) and Ryerson (84th) failed due to strong saves by Gulacsi. This was not to be avenged in the end, also because Gießelmann was on the spot against Brobbey in the 90th minute. Union Berlin will therefore go into the European match of the year next Thursday (9 p.m.) with fresh self-confidence.
The final for Europe is against Slavia Prague; only a win will help the Köpenickers, but they can only rely on the support of 5000 spectators in this final due to the new Berlin Corona restrictions. The day before, Leipzig want to secure third place in the Champions League at home against Manchester City and with it the right to start in the Europa League. To do so, they have to win the long-distance duel with club Brugge (at PSG), who are level on points. RB’s Bundesliga campaign continues on Saturday (3.30 p.m.) against Borussia Mönchengladbach, and 24 hours later Union plays host to bottom club Greuther Fürth.