Matchday 13 - Openda and Poulsen score: Leipzig beat Heidenheim
After two consecutive defeats,RB Leipzig achieved a turnaround as expected. The DFB Cup winners prevailed 2:1 (2:1) against newly promoted 1. FC Heidenheim and temporarily climbed back into a Champions League place.
In front of 44,887 spectators, Loïs Openda (29th penalty) and Yussuf Poulsen (44th) gave Leipzig a clear lead before Benedikt Gimber (45+2) reduced the deficit. In the end, Leipzig remained unbeaten in the Bundesliga against a newly promoted team.
Only Leipzig's Poulsen was left over from the first duels between the two teams in the 2013/14 third division season. However, Leipzig's focus was on a different player. Difference player Xavi Simons was in danger of being ruled out after falling on his shoulder in the 3-2 defeat at Manchester City, but reported fit in time.
Driven by the Dutch international, Leipzig initially dominated the game and looked to take an early lead. Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt tried to soften the pressure with a more defensive formation. US international Lennard Maloney moved back from defensive midfield to the center of the back five.
However, Leipzig did not let this bother them. Openda, who had scored twice in Manchester, had the lead on his feet after just two minutes. However, the Belgian international striker shot over the goal from six meters. Three minutes later, FCH goalkeeper Kevin Müller made a great save from Poulsen. The Dane looked liberated after his goal in the 2-1 draw in Wolfsburg, but still lacked precision in his finishing.
Pieringer misses chance to give Heidenheim the lead
And Heidenheim? Suddenly had a great chance to take the lead. Marvin Pieringer (14) appeared completely free in front of the Leipzig goal, but put his unmarked header just wide of the target. Heidenheim then helped out. Norman Theuerkauf pulled Openda off his feet in the penalty area and the 23-year-old converted the spot-kick safely.
The game then flattened out a little before it became really confusing shortly before half-time. David Raum made a strong break down the left wing and played a pass through to Poulsen - who was luckier this time. His effort trickled through Müller's legs and into the goal. A preliminary decision, you thought. But after a corner in stoppage time, Gimber was on hand to unexpectedly reduce the deficit.
RB pressed in vain for the third goal
However, that did not throw Leipzig off their stride. Christoph Baumgartner (47) tried to restore the gap with a lob over Müller. The keeper held, but the ball landed at the feet of Poulsen. This time, the Dane was too indecisive in front of the empty goal and wasted his time. RB pressed for the third goal, but lacked precision, as with Xaver Schlager's shot (55') on the outside of the net.
As the game became increasingly flat, RB coach Marco Rose brought on two new impulses from the bench in Emil Forsberg and Benjamin Sesko. Forsberg provided Openda with his first action (78'), but he failed to hit the post from an acute angle.
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- Despite two consecutive defeats, RB Leipzig successfully turned things around against 1. FC Heidenheim in the Bundesliga, securing a 2:1 victory in Leipzig.
- Loïs Openda and Yussuf Poulsen were the goalscorers for Leipzig, with Openda converting a penalty in the 29th minute and Poulsen netting just before half-time.
- The win temporarily moved Leipzig back into a Champions League position, while Heidenheim remain in the relegation zone.
- The match saw the return of Xavi Simon for Leipzig after he had fallen on his shoulder during their 3-2 defeat against Manchester City.
- Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt attempted to contain Leipzig's attack by shifting to a more defensive formation, with US international Lennard Maloney moving back to the center of the back five.
- Belgian international Loïs Openda had two early chances to put Leipzig in the lead, but missed both opportunities.
- Heidenheim's Marvin Pieringer had a great chance to put his team ahead after 14 minutes, but his header went wide of the target.
- RB Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen scored his second goal in as many games in the 44th minute, benefiting from a goalkeeper error.
- After RB Leipzig's third goal was ruled out in stoppage time, Benedikt Gimber scored an unexpected equalizer for Heidenheim, making it 1:2 at half-time.
Source: www.stern.de
