Bundesliga: Leipzig takes big step towards Champions League

Jungstar Yan Diomande grinned cheekily, spread his arms and embraced Antonio Nusa. Then the match winners from RB Leipzig led their team’s celebration run into the stands. The mood in the Saxony camp could hardly have been better after the successful feat for a place in the Champions League at Eintracht Frankfurt. Coach Ole Werner shouted out his joy.

“I can be different too,” said the otherwise calm RB coach with a grin after the 3-1 (1-1) victory, as the Leipzig team took a huge step towards the Champions League: “I can only tip my hat to my team. The energy they brought to the field was sensational. We are in.”

Once again, it was Diomande (27) who provided one of the highlights with a solo action. “I think it looks easy for other people, but for me, it’s always difficult,” said the sought-after Ivorian. Werner praised, “He is extremely spectacular, extremely clear, almost unstoppable. This can go far.”

Nusa (70) with a strong shot and Conrad Harder (80) sealed Leipzig’s first Bundesliga victory in Frankfurt. Hugo Larsson (34) had equalized temporarily for Eintracht, who now must worry about seventh place. The Saxons temporarily moved ahead of VfB Stuttgart to third place, establishing a five-point cushion over fifth place. However, Leipzig, which has won four consecutive games, could lose third place back to Stuttgart on Sunday.

Werner demanded full focus despite the good starting position before a “difficult task” in Frankfurt. “I do not believe that the teams at the top will leave much behind,” he said. The RB coach had to do without defensive pillars Castello Lukeba (adductor problems) and Willi Orban (thigh problems), relying on Nusa, Assan Ouédraogo, and Diomande for offensive power.

SGE coach Riera had announced that his team would not deviate from their playing style based on ball possession, despite the 0-6 defeat in the first leg. And indeed, the hosts, as usual under the Spaniard, sought to control the game. The first major chance came from a deep ball, with Jonathan Burkardt (6) being denied by the alert Maarten Vandevoordt in goal. Nicolas Seiwald had crucially interfered.

Leipzig pressured Frankfurt early on and created several opportunities at the start, but lacked precision in their first attempts. Otherwise, RB struggled initially in building play, even in front of their Global Head of Soccer, Jürgen Klopp. It took an individual effort from Diomande, who received the ball in midfield, rounded the Frankfurt defense, and calmly placed the ball into the far corner.

But Frankfurt struck back. Arnaud Kalimuendo found Ayoube Amaimouni with a chip ball, whose unexpected bounce ended up on Larsson’s head. The game remained open and entertaining, showcasing RB’s high level of skill. For example, directly after the break, when Diomande set up Christoph Baumgartner. The Austrian, however, shot centrally at Michael Zetterer.

As the game progressed, the guests increased the pressure on Zetterer’s goal, with chances from the substitute Brajan Gruda. But the SGE keeper and his team held firm and Amaimouni (66) had another opportunity. Shortly after, Nusa beat Zetterer with a powerful long-distance shot. Harder then increased the lead moments after his substitution with a turn and shoot.