21st matchday
Before a cracker against Real: RB Leipzig missed a boost in mood
Augsburg’s Ermedin Demirovic (l) scores to make it 2:2. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
One of the highlights in the first 45 minutes in Augsburg: a folding chair on the lawn. The fans also get to see four goals in the fast-paced duel. Leipzig is missing a great opportunity.
The counter-prone Leipzig team missed out on putting pressure on Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart in the long-distance duel for a direct Champions League starting place. The Augsburg team have been without a win against RB in 15 competitive games, but they collected a valuable point with a brilliant performance in front of 28,510 spectators.
In the lively exchange of blows, the Leipzig team demonstrated their air superiority three days before the first leg of the round of 16 in the premier class against Toni Kroos & Co. Lois Openda (39th minute) and Benjamin Sesko (52nd) both scored impressively with their heads. Openda (81′) then failed with a penalty kick to goalkeeper Finn Dahmen, who had previously knocked over Mohamed Simakan. It was a great chance for the second three in a row.
FCA captain from the RB youth team
Phillip Tietz (35th) and Augsburg’s captain Ermedin Demirovic (60th), who comes from Leipzig’s youth team, with his twelfth goal of the season gave their fans hope for their first home win this year.
Fans again protested in Augsburg against the entry of an investor into the German Football League. “Sustainable growth instead of quick money” read one banner. The game had to be briefly interrupted in the 24th minute after a few tennis balls and even a folding chair were thrown into the penalty area by Augsburg goalkeeper Dahmen. Some Augsburg fans also left their block and positioned themselves in front of the fence overlooking the pitch.
After a tough initial phase, there was enough to see there. Dahmen saved Augsburg from falling behind against Dani Olmo (18th) and Xaver Schlager (31st). The hosts’ joy at taking the lead was short-lived. Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi only let a strong shot from Ruben Vargas bounce high forward, Tietz was successful in the follow-up shot with his left. Shortly afterwards, Openda rose in the penalty area after a cross from David Raum and nodded in his 15th goal of the season to equalize.
In the second 45 minutes it was up and down. Sesko headed a perfect cross from Dani Olmo with his head. Just five minutes later, the Slovenian striker missed the preliminary decision when he hit the right post. While Xavi Simons missed the preliminary decision for Leipzig, Demirovic heaved the ball under the crossbar after a counter move to equalize. According to video evidence, Openda missed the opportunity from the spot in the final phase.