Leipzig also halts its slide in the league

RB Leipzig have also ended their sporting crisis in the Bundesliga. Three days after beating Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB Cup, coach Marco Rose's team won 2:0 (1:0) at newly promoted Holstein Kiel to celebrate their first league treble after four consecutive games without a win.

In front of 14,715 spectators at the Holstein Stadium, Benjamin Sesko (27th minute) and André Silva scored from the penalty spot (69th minute) for the visitors. After their fourth defeat in a row, Kiel remain bottom of the table.

Fuss over Kiel fan banner

Kiel's fans were tasteless before the game. The Holstein supporters had already protested against the RB Leipzig construct with a fan march before the game. In the stadium, a banner was hung in front of the fan curve bearing the words "Gravedigger of German soccer" and the heads of Oliver Mintzlaff, Jürgen Klopp, Martin Kind and Dietmar Hopp. For a few minutes, crosshairs could be seen in front of the counterfeits before first these and then the entire banner were rolled up.

Rose sent the same team onto the pitch that had won so impressively against Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB Cup on Wednesday and thus probably saved the Leipzig coach's job. Only regular goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi returned between the posts for Maarten Vandevoordt.

Rose was naturally relieved after the win against Frankfurt. "Nevertheless, we have to be vigilant. That can only have been the beginning," said the RB coach and called for a similar performance against the newly promoted side.

Kiel too harmless for long periods

And his team delivered. The Champions League contenders struggled to create chances against the deep-lying cellar dwellers. However, the Saxons controlled the action in the first 45 minutes and deservedly led at the break.

Sesko made it 1-0 after a fine individual effort. After Holstein goalkeeper Timon Weiner had been able to save the Slovenian's first shot, Sesko was successful with the follow-up.

The Kielers fought with all their strength against the next defeat, but once again it became clear that the first first division team in Schleswig-Holstein's history simply lacks quality. Finn Porath only had the first chance for the hosts a minute before the half-time whistle.

Disputed penalty

After the break, Kiel finally acted more courageously. In particular, the substitution of Steven Skrzybski did the hosts good. The attacker had two chances to equalize. First Skrzybski failed to beat Gulacsi (58'), then he only hit the crossbar (66').

On the counter-attack, Leipzig made everything clear. After an alleged foul by Marvin Schulz on Loïs Openda, referee Florian Badstübner pointed to the penalty spot. André Silva, who had only just come on as a substitute, did not miss the chance and converted safely to make it 2-0.