RB Leipzig narrowly wins against 1 FC Heidenheim

RB Leipzig remain unbeaten in the current Bundesliga season and showed a reaction to their Champions League defeat against Juventus Turin. Coach Marco Rose's team won 1:0 (0:0) at 1. FC Heidenheim to consolidate their place in the top flight. Belgian international striker Lois Openda scored in the 59th minute for RB, who improved after the break.

Four days earlier, Leipzig had squandered a 2:1 lead against Juve in the top flight and lost 3:2. As a result, the Saxons are already under pressure in the European Cup. In the league, however, things have been going well for Leipzig, who now have 14 points. FCH are in mid-table with five points less.

Few chances in a tough first half

As usual in the weeks in which Heidenheim also play internationally, coach Frank Schmidt rotated his starting XI after the 2-1 defeat to Olimpija Ljubljana in the Conference League and made six changes to his starting eleven. The hosts' plan to stop Leipzig's attacks early on largely worked in the first half.

The highlights of the first 45 minutes could be counted on one hand. Leipzig's Openda flew under a cross (4th) and took too little aim with a header (43rd), while his strike partner Benjamin Sesko put a low shot to the left of the goal (33rd). RB had the best chance shortly before the break when things finally got going quickly, but Xavi Simons failed to beat FCH keeper Kevin Müller after a combination across several stations (42').

Guest goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi initially had even less to do than his counterpart. The game was characterized by intense duels for a long time - and was initially quite tough.

Sesko goal taken back

After the break, however, RB increased the pressure and established themselves in the opponent's half for a longer period of time. Sesko scored from a free-kick by international David Raum to give the Saxons the lead (52'). However, referee Sascha Stegemann looked at the scene again after a tip-off from the video assistant and took the goal back - Leipzig's Willi Orban had fouled Heidenheim's Patrick Mainka, who was then unable to prevent Sesko from scoring with his header.

The visitors were then able to celebrate shortly afterwards: Antonio Nusa sent Openda down the right flank and he scored with a shot into the near corner. RB deserved the goal. However, it also woke up Heidenheim once again.

Jan Schöppner hammered the ball against the crossbar (68'), Leipzig goalkeeper Gulacsi saved from Marvin Pieringer and Adrian Beck within a few seconds (73'). FCH continued to scratch for a possible draw in the closing stages, but were unable to do so. Openda narrowly missed his second goal for Leipzig when he hit the post (88').