Thanks to magician Simons: Leipzig breaks free against BVB

RB Leipzig achieved the hoped-for escape, Borussia Dortmund remains the team of two faces. Three days after reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League, BVB lost 0:2 (0:1) at the Saxons in the top match of the Bundesliga and are still stuck in the lower midfield of the table after their eleventh defeat in total.

Leipzig's first success after four games without a win at least helps them up to fifth place. The team of recently criticized coach Marco Rose is level on points with Eintracht Frankfurt, who only play in Bochum on Sunday.

In front of 47,800 fans in the sold-out Leipzig Stadium, both teams provided a thoroughly entertaining evening. Xavi Simons (18) was on target once again and scored his seventh goal of the season to give his side the lead. Loïs Openda (48) increased the lead directly after the break - following an assist from Simons.

BVB get off to a better start

Sixth against tenth - in terms of the pure standings before the matchday, there was little to suggest a top-of-the-table clash. While Leipzig are in the semi-finals of the DFB Cup and BVB have reached the last eight of the Premier League, both sides are struggling in the league and lagging behind in terms of expectations. Dortmund coach Niko Kovac at least sent the same starting eleven into the game as in the 2-1 win in Lille during the week.

There it quickly became clear why Leipzig and Dortmund had never gone goalless before. Both pushed for an early goal and offered more than average soccer. Serhou Guirassy (9th) popped up in the Leipzig penalty area after Karim Adeyemi's preparatory work, but RB keeper Peter Gulacsi grabbed his shot on the rebound.

Simons' criticism of the fans

Then Dortmund's glory was over for a while. Simons (11) tried to outwit Gregor Kobel in the Dortmund goal with a direct free-kick near the corner flag, but was denied by the Swiss. Three minutes later, David Raum crossed from the left, but Openda only hit the crossbar from five meters.

A little later it was Raum again, whose shot could only be deflected forward by Kobel. The ball landed directly at the feet of Simons, who scored with ease to take the lead. As he celebrated the goal, the Dutch international turned to the Leipzig fans and made the gesture of opening and closing his mouth with his hand. Simons had clearly been affected by the criticism of his performance in recent weeks.

Mintzlaff celebrates in the VIP stands

In the stands, supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaff clenched his fist in relief, while sporting director Marcel Schäfer accepted the goal with an outwardly unemotional expression. Leipzig missed another double chance through Christoph Baumgartner and Ridle Baku, but things got even worse for BVB. After just over half an hour, Marcel Sabitzer had to be substituted with a knee injury. Kovac brought on Rami Bensebaini and switched to a back three.

At first it was of little use, and just three minutes later Baku (35) struck the crossbar from 16 meters. And Dortmund? Then came towards the end of the first half. Maximilian Beier (42) thought too long in the penalty area and his shot was blocked. Adeyemi's shot (45.+2) was deflected to the corner flag by Gulacsi as he stretched to reach it.

Openda redeems himself

After all, it wouldn't be the first time this season that Leipzig had let a lead slip from their grasp. And so they held on, although Guirassy's header (47') flew just over the goal. Openda did better at the other end a minute later: Simons hit a long corner to the second post and the Belgian volleyed the ball into the far corner. It was only Openda's second goal of the second half.

The game continued to be anything but boring, with the aluminum of Leipzig's goal being tested in particular. Beier first hit the crossbar with his head (50') and then the post with a powerful shot (52'). BVB now only pressed, the Leipzig defense had considerable problems and there was hardly any relief in attack.

A brilliant save by Gulacsi (62) against Guirassy prevented Dortmund from scoring a now highly deserved goal. The Hungarian international goalkeeper was also on top form two minutes later, deflecting Adeyemi's shot against the crossbar. Rose needed more stability, took Openda off and brought on defender Lukas Klostermann (66).