Clear victory in the top game!
Our boys set off fireworks in the home game against Borussia Dortmund on Bundesliga Matchday 31 and deservedly won 4-1. Our lead over BVB is now five points.
Openda’s quick reply
Dortmund took the lead after 20 minutes through a curling Jadon Sancho shot, but RBL responded perfectly. Xavi crossed from the left with the outside of his boot into the penalty area, where Lois Openda was there ahead of the Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and scored to make it 1-1 (23′).
BVB were lucky early on that referee Deniz Aytekin withdrew a penalty after Salih Özcan brought down Dani Olmo in the penalty area (29′). Shortly before half-time, that luck ran out: Xaver Schlager shot from distance, Gregor Kobel parried and Benjamin Sesko rifled the follow-up shot under the crossbar to make it 2-1 (45’+2).
Red Bull Arena rocks
The next goal came early in the second half, Mohamed Simakan bombing forward to get on the end of an Openda pass to make it 3-1 (46′) – although he had to go off injured shortly after (51′). RBL continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded with a 4-1 win thanks to substitute Christoph Baumgartner (80′).
Bundesliga | RB Leipzig – Borussia Dortmund
Line-ups
RBL: Gulacsi – Simakan (51′ Henrichs), Orban (C), Castello Jr., Raum – Haidara (87′ Seiwald), Schlager (88′ Kampl) – Xavi, Olmo – Openda (88′ Klostermann), Sesko (70′ Baumgartner)
BVB: Kobel (C) – Wolf, Hummels (51′ Sule), Schlotterbeck, Ryerson (7′. Moukoko) – Özcan (63′ Bynoe-Gittens) – Brandt, Nmecha – Sancho, Füllkrug, Adeyemi (46′ Reus)
RBL unused subs: Blaswich (GK) – Bitshiabu, Elmas, Poulsen
BVB unused subs: Meyer (GK) – Morey, Sabitzer, Pohlmann, Wätjen
Goals
0-1 Sancho (20′), 1-1 Openda (23′), 2-1 Sesko (45’2), 3-1 Simakan (46′), 4-1 Baumgartner (80′)
Yellow cards
Simakan (8th) | Sancho (1st), Schlotterbeck (3rd)
Referees
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Oberasbach)
1st Assistant: Christian Dietz (Kronach)
2nd Assistant: Eduard Beitinger (Regensburg)
Fourth official: Max Burda (Berlin)
Video assistant: Benjamin Cortus (Röthenbach a. d. Pegnitz)
Attendance
47,069 in the Red Bull Arena (sold out)
6th Minute: First effort
First good chance for the Red Bulls. Lois Openda plays across to Xavi, who shoots first time from the edge of the box, but miscues a bit. The ball flies over.
10th Minute: Sensational save!
BVB has a good chance: Niclas Füllkrug headers a cross from the right and puts it towards Peter Gulacsi‘s far corner, but our goalkeeper makes a sensational save!
18th Minute: Gulacsi again!
Dortmund on the attack again, this time Julian Brandt tries a shot from almost 20 meters. Peter Gulacsi flies across his goal and turns it wide. Niclas Füllkrug heads the resulting corner over.
20. Minute: Sancho scores for BVB
The opening goal for the guests. After a cross from the right, the ball lands at Sancho in the penalty area. The Englishman has a little too much space and fires the ball into the top corner of the goal.
23rd Minute: Openda equalises!
Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. A quick response from RBL. Xavi runs down the left side and crosses with the outside of his boot into the penalty area, where Lois Openda scores past BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. The flag goes up initially, but the video assistant gives the correct indication: no offside! It’s 1-1.
29th Minute: Penalty rescinded
Salih Özcan goes in hard against Dani Olmo in the penalty area, referee Deniz Aytekin initially decides on a penalty. He then watches the scene back and rescinds the spot-kick.
36th Minute: Xavi hits the post!
Phew, what a chance! Xavi wins the ball well on the right touchline, runs towards the penalty area and hits it from distance, but the ball hits the post. Lois Openda puts the follow-up shot past the goal.
45th Minute +2: Sesko turns the game around!
YAAAAAAAAAAY! 2-1 for the Red Bulls. Xaver Schlager blast it from range, BVB keeper Gregor Kobel parries is and Benjamin Sesko rifles the follow-up shot under the crossbar.
46th Minute: 3-1 for Simakan!
What a start to the second half: With the first chance, RBL increase the lead to 3-1. Xavi sends Lois Openda through, who plays across the penalty area to Mohamed Simakan, and all he has to do is push in.
61st Minute: Just over!
RBL continues to apply pressure. Xavi has two good chances from a similar position on the left of the penalty area. Unfortunately, in both attempts the ball flies just past the goal to the right.
74th Minute: Openda misses the 4-1
Almost!! Lois Openda fakes left in the penalty area and shoots with his right, Niklas Süle deflects and Gregor Kobel can just steer the ball past the goal.
80th Minute: Baumgartner makes it four!
And another goal for RBL: Benjamin Henrichs passes perfectly from the right into the area to Christoph Baumgartner and he hits the near corner to make it 4-1 for the Red Bulls. Now it’s home and dry!