RB Leipzig achieved a turnaround as expected after two consecutive defeats. The DFB Cup winners prevailed 2:1 (2:1) against promoted 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday and temporarily climbed back into a Champions League place. In front of 44,887 spectators, Loïs Openda (29th penalty) and Yussuf Poulsen (44th) gave Leipzig a clear lead before Benedikt Gimber (45+2) reduced the deficit. In the end, Leipzig remained unbeaten in the Bundesliga against a newly promoted team.
Only Leipzig's Poulsen was left over from the first duels between the two teams in the 2013/14 third division season. However, Leipzig's focus was on another player. Difference player Xavi Simons was in danger of being ruled out after falling on his shoulder in the 2:3 draw at Manchester City, but reported fit in time.
Driven by the Dutch international, Leipzig initially dominated the game and were keen to take an early lead. Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt tried to soften the pressure with a more defensive formation. US international Lennard Maloney moved back from defensive midfield to the center of the back five.
However, Leipzig did not let this bother them. Openda, who had scored twice in Manchester, had the lead on his feet after just two minutes. However, the Belgian international striker shot over the goal from six meters. Three minutes later, FCH goalkeeper Kevin Müller made a great save from Poulsen. The Dane looked liberated after his goal in the 2-1 draw in Wolfsburg, but still lacked precision in his finishing.
And Heidenheim? Suddenly had a great chance to take the lead. Marvin Pieringer (14') appeared completely free in front of the Leipzig goal, but put his unchallenged header just wide of the target. Heidenheim then helped out. Norman Theuerkauf pulled Openda off his feet in the penalty area and the 23-year-old converted the spot-kick safely.
The game then flattened out a little before it became really confusing shortly before half-time. David Raum made a strong run down the left wing and played a pass to Poulsen - who was luckier this time. His effort trickled through Müller's legs and into the goal. A preliminary decision, you thought. But after a corner in stoppage time, Gimber was on hand to unexpectedly reduce the deficit.
However, that did not throw Leipzig off their stride. Christoph Baumgartner (47) tried to restore the gap with a lob over Müller. The keeper held, but the ball landed at the feet of Poulsen. This time, the Dane was too indecisive in front of the empty goal and wasted his time. RB pressed for the third goal but lacked precision, as was the case with Xaver Schlager's shot (55') on the outside of the net.
As the game became increasingly flat, RB coach Marco Rose brought on two new impulses from the bench in Emil Forsberg and Benjamin Sesko. Forsberg set up Openda in his first action (78'), but he failed to hit the post from an acute angle.
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