15th matchday
Emotional Forsberg farewell after gala evening
Leipzig’s Lukas Klostermann (l) scores against Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper Oliver Baumann to make it 1-0. photo
© Jan Woitas/dpa
It’s like the script: Forsberg comes on as a substitute in his last home game, scores himself and sets up the next goal. This means RB remains at the top of the Bundesliga.
“Emil Forsberg, Emil Forsberg,” it echoed through the arena as the man with number ten took the lap of honor to the sounds of Frank Sinatra’s classic “New York.” His teammates applauded in the background, having previously celebrated Forsberg.
“They were wonderful years, at the end we won two cups, we play in the Champions League every year. That was the goal here. Everything I imagined happened,” said Forsberg about his nine years in the Leipzig jersey. And his last home game was once again a big show: first he shot RB to the lead shortly after coming on, then he set up the next goal. This means that the Saxon Bundesliga team has climbed to third place in the table for the time being.
New York confirms Forsberg commitment
“That’s great. It’s not every day that you get such an emotional game. He’s a great guy,” enthused his long-time teammate Youssuf Poulsen. Shortly after the game, his new club officially announced the change in winter. Forsberg will receive a contract in New York until 2026 including an option for another year.
Before the big farewell, it was another show of strength for the Leipzig team. Lukas Klostermann (34th minute) shot Marco Rose’s team into the lead in front of 42,946 spectators in the Red Bull Arena before Ozan Kabak equalized (42nd). Forsberg (71′) scored to take the lead again, Mohamed Simakan (74′) increased.
Even though RB record player Poulsen gave the first sign of respect with his header after a good two minutes, the fans celebrated their “Mister RB” Forsberg – there was no trace of DFL protest. “With you in league one and throughout Europe, thank you for 9 years of commitment and passion” was read on a banner in the fan block. After 324 competitive games, he played his last home game.
In the stands, New York sports director Jochen Schneider and coach Sandro Schwarz personally examined the exceptional footballer’s performance again after he was substituted in the 66th minute – and he didn’t disappoint them.
Previously they initially saw a one-sided game. The Hoffenheim team, who arrived with five away wins, only played at the back against the Saxons. However, RB initially had few creative solutions when it came to the constant running. TSG countered now and then. After winning the ball, the guests quickly switched to the advantage, but Simakan was able to clear Ihlas Bebou’s shot from a half-right position (24′) for a corner.
Forsberg scores well after being substituted
On the other side, John Anthony Brooks headed a corner (26′) almost into his own goal. Then Benjamin Henrichs (29th) tried a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area that went over the goal. A few seconds later, Poulsen was denied by TSG keeper Oliver Baumann after a through pass from Christoph Baumgartner.
It was a game of patience for the German cup winners. After a free kick, Poulsen headed the ball into the center, where Simakan was initially denied by a defender, and Klostermann (34′) heaved the rebounding ball into the goal from two meters. But the goal was more of a wake-up call for Hoffenheim. After a free kick, Kabak (42nd) headed the equalizer. The RB keeper Janis Blaswich who ran out didn’t catch the ball. Even before the half-time whistle, Kevin Vogt knocked over the otherwise pale Lois Openda in the penalty area with no chance of the ball, and the Leipzig team vehemently demanded a penalty – to no avail.
After the substitution, Baumann was powerless when Xavi Simons (50th) shot from 16 meters, but the ball bounced off the inside post and back into the field. Leipzig continued to have difficulty building up the game. Forsberg was to change that after a good hour. Before he was substituted on, he received a hug from Rose. It echoed in front of the stands: “Here we go.” After an Openda cross, Poulsen (69′) sailed past the ball a meter in front of the goal. Then Openda found Forsberg with a long ball. He took the ball at full speed and hammered it into the corner in the 71st minute. A minute later, the Swede sent Openda straight, but Baumann failed. Then Forsberg hit the crossbar after a corner and Simakan chased the rebounding ball over the line. This made Forsberg’s farewell evening perfect.