RB Leipzig closes gap to Champions League qualification with win against Gladbach

RB Leipzig are back within touching distance of the Champions League places. With a 2:0 (1:0) win at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach, the German cup winners closed the gap to fourth place in the Bundesliga to one point. Earlier, rivals Dortmund had only drawn 1-1 in Wolfsburg. In front of 44,822 spectators, Xavi Simons (14th minute) put Leipzig ahead on Saturday evening before Lois Openda (57th) increased the lead. Gladbach are still without a win in their eighth game in Leipzig.

Leipzig, wearing a special black jersey with a flame design and the words "Leipzig on fire" emblazoned on the back of their necks, started strongly: After 72 seconds, Yussuf Poulsen had the lead on his feet after a Dani Olmo through-ball, but lobbed the ball over the goal from six meters. Marco Rose, who broke the 100-point mark as RB coach with the win against his former club, opted for Poulsen instead of Benjamin Sesko in attack this time. He also brought on Amadou Haidara in defensive midfield.

After that, it became unusually quiet in the stadium. The 3,500 or so visiting fans held back their support "because a member of the fan scene died in a traffic accident", Borussia announced on the X platform (formerly Twitter) during the match. Leipzig were then largely quiet shortly after kick-off because one person had to be resuscitated in the stadium, as RB also announced on X. During the half-time break, the stadium announcer then announced the sad news that "the fan has unfortunately passed away". As a result, there was only intermittent applause during the game.

The players tried to concentrate on the sport. In the 13th minute, Dani Olmo tested visiting goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas with a shot from 13 meters, who made a brilliant save. Shortly afterwards, the goalkeeper was powerless. Xavi Simons skillfully took the ball with his thigh and scored his sixth goal of the season from 14 meters in the 14th minute. Nicolas then prevented Leipzig from making it 2-0 again when he stopped a Simons shot (19th) from ten meters.

After just 23 minutes, Rose was forced to make a change as Lukas Klostermann had probably suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh. Mohamed Simakan came on for him. On the other side, Gladbach coach Gerardo Seoane had to do without Alassane Plea (bone bruise) and Florian Neuhaus (muscular problems) before kick-off. Overall, the Borussia defense was stable and, apart from the goal conceded, allowed little at first. And when they did, Nicolas saved, as he did against Openda (40'), who was offside.

After the changeover, Gladbach showed a sign of intent with a header from Jordan (52') - but the ball went narrowly wide. Otherwise, RB goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi had little to do. Gladbach combined well, but lacked accuracy with the final pass or when finishing.

At the other end, Nicolas von Openda (57) was then lobbed after he had run free following a strong pass from Schlager. The linesman raised his flag, but the video assistant intervened to correct the situation - the goal, Openda's 16th of the season, counted.

After just over an hour, Rose brought on Sesko for Poulsen and Nicolas Seiwald for Haidara. Gladbach also tried to inject fresh impetus with Marvin Friedrich. Sesko (73') then had the 3-0 on his feet, but the strong Nicolas was on hand with a reflex save.