No winner in the East duel, but RB Leipzig felt like losers

No winner in the eastern duel, but a perceived loser: After the embarrassing performance in the farewell from the Champions League, RB Leipzig did not get beyond a 0-0 draw against relegation-threatened 1. FC Union Berlin in the Bundesliga. The visitors from Saxony put in a disappointing performance at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei and could not have complained about a defeat. Ultimately, however, the Ironmen are still waiting for their second win of the year under their new coach Steffen Baumgart.

No convincing for coach Rose

Union remain 14th in the table, while RB even improved to fourth. However, with only one win in the league so far this year, this position is likely to be difficult to maintain. This performance without esprit, finesse and above all class is certainly not enough for a convincing end to the discussions surrounding coach Marco Rose.

Before the eastern clash got underway on the pitch, the Union fans in the stands worked their way through the visitors' concept, which they so despised. "RB is poison for soccer - independence is our antidote! Enforce 50+1," read a long banner. The 50+1 rule in German professional soccer essentially stipulates that investors cannot acquire a majority of voting rights in a club's limited company.

With the first touch of the ball, however, there was silence among the Berlin supporters: silent protest for 15 minutes. There was hardly any reason for emotional outbursts from either team at this stage anyway.

The visitors, who want to keep in touch with the Champions League places, looked particularly hesitant. Rose had changed more than half the team compared to the 1-0 defeat in the Champions League against Sturm Graz with six players. Effect: none.

Where was the reaction to the embarrassing performance against Graz?

Union dominated the match instead. Not in terms of play, but with fight and commitment and wildly driven on by coach Baumgart, who constantly reassessed the dimensions of his coaching zone. The Berliners looked more dangerous, even if there were hardly any clear-cut chances.

However, the visitors almost took the lead during this phase of pressure. Xavi Simons' attempt around five minutes before the break only grazed the post, but it remained unclear whether the referee had spotted an offside position. The big reaction that coach Rose had hoped for after the hugely disappointing performance in Graz and with just one win in the Bundesliga this year failed to materialize.

Ball in the Berlin goal - offside

And that against a team that was also reeling and looking for security and, above all, success. Even Baumgart has suffered three defeats in the four games under his leadership. Leipzig, however, put up a fight against the Irons. Even in the second half, which was initially quiet at the Alte Försterei: The ball was in the Berlin goal: but offside.

At the other end, RB goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi saved a shot from Benedict Hollerbach (68) with the greatest of efforts to prevent Berlin from taking the lead. The Hungarian then also had to make a save against Wooyeong Jeong (83rd) and then dropped the ball in stoppage time - but striker Benjamin Sesko saved the draw on his own goal line.