17th matchday
False start for Leipzig: first defeat against Frankfurt
Thanks to Ansgar Knauff’s goal (r, hidden), Eintracht takes three points from Leipzig. photo
© Jan Woitas/dpa
Eintracht Frankfurt has created a novelty in Leipzig. First they took their first lead in the Red Bull Arena, and ultimately their first Bundesliga victory.
RB Leipzig has one Made a false start to the remaining round of the Bundesliga and suffered a serious setback in the fight for the Champions League.
The Saxons lost 0-1 (0-1) against Eintracht Frankfurt in their first meeting since winning the cup. In front of 45,867 spectators in the Red Bull Arena, Ansgar Knauff (7th minute) ensured Hesse’s first victory in Leipzig.
After honoring the late Franz Beckenbauer, Eintracht got off to a dream start. Knauf converted the first chance in the game to take the lead after seven minutes. Niels Nkounkou crossed flatly from the left, Mohamed Simakan couldn’t get to the ball, behind him Knauf slammed the ball into the net from five meters at full speed. It was the first lead for Eintracht in their previous appearances in Leipzig. Exactly ten minutes later, Benjamin Sesko, who was preferred to Yussuf Poulsen, missed the equalizer from eight meters after a pass from Lois Openda.
Eintracht dangerous in the transition game
The Frankfurt team, who had to leave top performers Omar Marmoush, Fares Chaibi and Ellyes Skhiri for the Africa Cup, were clever defensively and impressed with good duels. The Leipzig team had a hard time creating clear chances despite a high percentage of ball possession. In addition, Eintracht, where winter newcomers Sasa Kalajdzic and Donny van de Beek made their starting eleven debuts, remained dangerous at all times in the transition game. Dino Toppmöller, who was once assistant to the then RB coach Julian Nagelsmann, had his team well prepared for the Saxons.
After half an hour, Leipzig’s pressure increased. But Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp defused a shot from Openda with a brilliant save (35th). Three minutes later, Trapp, who reacted strongly, defended the lead again against the Belgian. The equalizer for RB was long overdue, but there was a lack of precision on the last pass or the necessary concentration when finishing.
Leipzig exploits opportunities
Immediately after the substitution, Openda (47th) had the equalizer again after a Simons pass, but heaved the ball well over the goal from ten meters. On the other side, Mario Götze (57′) tackles a sharp cross from Nkounkou, the ball also went over the goal. Then Openda tried a header (65th) and again found his match in Trapp. In the 67th minute, Rose sent Yussuf Poulsen and Dani Olmo onto the field with a double substitution. The Spaniard celebrated his comeback after a two and a half month injury break (shoulder corner joint).
Leipzig started in the final phase, but exploited their chances: Benjamin Henrichs (70′) was denied by Trapp, Mohamed Simakan’s header (74′) only hit the crossbar. Eintracht defended with a stable five-man chain, but were able to thank Trapp in particular for their continued leadership.
When Openda (87th) artistically circled the ball past Trapp, the goal was a few centimeters short. Rose tried everything: in the 88th minute he brought on North Macedonian Eljif Elmas, who was brought in from Naples at short notice following the departure of Emil Forsberg (New York). With the defeat, RB also missed equalizing the club record of 13 unbeaten home games in a row from the 2019/2020 season.