A draw after the international break
RB Leipzig drew goalless with Union Berlin on Matchday 3, with the score at 0:0 after 90 minutes.
The Red Bulls took control from the start, but the team from the capital was very compact in their defending. After a quarter of an hour, Lois Openda had some space for the first time, but his left-footed shot went wide. Our top scorer’s second attempt was parried by the visiting goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow (21′). Afterwards, RBL insisted in finding a way through Union’s defence. Shortly before the half-time whistle, Benjamin Henrichs had another good shot down the center (41′).
In the second half, the visitors sent up their lines and began attacking us. Just before hitting the hour mark, Peter Gulacsi made his presence felt twice, defusing two headers from Tom Rothe and Diogo Leite, each launched towards RBL’s goal after a corner kick.
But then we had the lead at our feet. Xavi hit the crossbar and Lois Openda‘s penalty was saved by the Union keeper (68′, 74’). In the final phase, Union countered several times, while David Raum had a dangerous free kick in injury time. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful.
The 0-0 result means RB Leipzig start the season with 7 of 9 possible points, remaining undefeated so far, while Union Berlin may also head back home guaranteeing their own lossless draw.
Bundesliga | RB Leipzig – 1. FC Union Berlin
LINEUPS
RBL: Gulacsi (C)– Klostermann, Castello Jr., Geertruida – Raum, Henrichs (69. Baumgartner), Kampl, Haidara (66. Vermeeren) – Sesko (66. Nusa), Openda, Xavi
FCU: Rönnow – Vogt, Leite, Doekhi – Haberer, Rothe (81. Querfeld), Khedira (C), Schäfer (81. Kemlein), Benes (56. Vertessen) – Hollerbach (69.), Skarke (56. Siebatcheu)
Substitutes RBL: Vandevoordt (Tor)– Bitshiabu, Elmas, Poulsen, Seiwald, Silva
Substitutes FCU: Schwolow (Tor) – Skov, Trimmel, Tousart
Yellow Cards
Haidara (2), Kampl (1) | Benes (1), Khedira (1), Doekhi (2)
REFEREES
1st Referee: Sven Jablonski (Bremen)
1st Assistant: Sascha Thielert (Buchholz i.d. Nordheide)
2nd Assistant: Eduard Beitinger (Regensburg)
4th Official: Florian Exner (Münster)
Video Assistant: Katrin Rafalski (Bad Zwesten)
ATTENDANCE
47.800 spectators at the Red Bull Arena (sold out).
10′ – Strong RBL start
- The Red Bulls had significantly more possession in the early stages and are looking for gaps in Berlin’s very compact defence. We have been on our guard so far when it comes to possible counterattacks, but our defence is good.
13′ – First Openda chance
- Some open space for the first time. Our players won the ball in their half and Benjamin Henrichs sent Lois Openda through. Our goalscorer went on his own but missed his left-foot shot.
21′ – Our 11 tries a second try for us
- Gaps are slowly starting to appear in Union’s defense. Once again, it’s Openda who made headway. He dribbled down the left, but the visiting goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow parried his try away.
41′ – Henrichs from afar
- Shortly before the break, the Union goal became the center stage for the actions taking place. Benny Henrichs found a way to get rid of his mark, but his attempt was deflected at the last moment for a corner.
55′ – Xavi with his first occasion
- First occasion in the second half courtesy of Xavi, managing to wrestle away from Danilho Doekhi‘s mark. His irruption into the penalty box didn’t bring more danger, as the ball ran ahead of him and couldn’t find a clear shot.
58′ – Gulacsi with back-to-back saves
- As often is the case in football, the keeper has to step in and clear any trouble. A header from Tom Rothe after a corner was sent over the crossbar by Peter Gulacsi. The resulting corner brought yet another occasion for the Berliners, with Pete saving a shot from Diogo Leite.
68′ – Xavi hits the post!
- Xavi danced his way pass two Berlin players and took a shot from the edge of the box. The ball crashed against the crossbar.
74′ – Openda misses a penalty kick
- Kevin Vogt brought Lois down in the penalty box, leading to an inevitable penalty kick. Openda wasn’t able to convert this opportunity, thanks to Rönnow correctly guessing where he would place his shot.
83′ – Closing minutes in the Red Bull Arena
- RBL insists on finishing the match with all three points, sending all they’ve got to achieve it. Union are doing their best to create counterattacking opportunities that our team is able to stop on their tracks.
90’+’ – Rönnow saves Raum’s freekick
- That would have been a sensational way to win the game! But Rönnow was quick enough to parry David Raum’s well-taken free kick.
