Openda scores late: Leipzig fight for victory in Heidenheim

RB Leipzig remain firmly on course for the Champions League thanks to a late goal from top scorer Lois Openda and have consolidated fourth place in the Bundesliga. The DFB Cup winners won 2:1 (1:0) at 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday and extended their lead over Borussia Dortmund to three points, at least temporarily. Fifth place may also be enough to secure a place in the top flight.

Benjamin Sesko (42nd minute) scored in front of 15,000 spectators to give Leipzig, who have taken 19 out of a possible 21 points from their last seven games, the lead. Newly promoted Heidenheim equalized through joker Nikola Dovedan (69'), then Openda decided the game in favour of the visitors (85'). However, FCH still have a comfortable cushion on the relegation places.

Leipzig coach Marco Rose, who was suspended for yellow cards, watched the game from the stands and was represented on the touchline by his assistants Alexander Zickler and Marco Kurth. However, as the Saxons had carefully studied the statutes, the head coach was at least able to speak to the team during the break.

RB had significantly more possession in the first half, but hardly any chances worth mentioning. Two shots from Xavi Simons in the early stages were harmless, and after just over half an hour, Sesko hit the ball against the right-hand side of the net.

The Heidenheim side initially stood firm defensively. They lay in wait for counter-attacks and Leipzig's inaccuracies - such as in the eleventh minute. RB defender Castello Lukeba lost the ball, but Kevin Sessa did not know how to punish that and failed to beat goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi with a weak low shot.

The Heidenheim side also kept looking for their goalscorer Tim Kleindienst, who scored twice in the sensational 3-2 win over FC Bayern Munich two weeks ago. However, a header from the 1.94-metre striker was no problem for Gulacsi (29').

Much pointed to a 0-0 draw at the break when the game suddenly picked up again. Leipzig international David Raum, who had returned from suspension, crossed from the left, the hosts made a poor clearance and Sesko scored with a powerful finish to make it 1-0. It was the Slovenian's third successive goal - and his tenth of the Bundesliga season. Sessa almost provided the direct answer, but shot over (43').

The second half got off to an unfortunate start from FCH's point of view. Lennard Maloney had to be substituted after a collision (53'), but keeper Kevin Müller then prevented Leipzig's Openda (56') and Simons (65') from making it 2-0.

Heidenheim then struck back out of nowhere. Dovedan, who had just come on as a substitute, headed in the equalizer from a free-kick. A heated final phase followed. Simons was denied by Müller (72'), Kleindienst at the other end by Gulacsi (77'). Openda finally scored from close range at the end of a counter-attack and strong preparatory work by Mohamed Simakan to secure victory for Leipzig. It was the Belgian's 23rd goal of the season - and Leipzig remain unbeaten against promoted teams in their Bundesliga history.