30th matchday
Openda scores late: Leipzig wins victory in Heidenheim
Shoots his team to victory: Leipzig’s Loïs Openda celebrates after the 2-1. photo
© Harry Langer/dpa
RB struggled on the Ostalb, but ultimately won and thus consolidated fourth place in the table. The suspended coach watches the game from the stands, the goalscorer makes the decision.
Thanks to a late goal from striker Lois Openda, RB Leipzig remains fully on course for the Champions League and has consolidated fourth place in the Bundesliga.
Benjamin Sesko (42nd minute) scored in front of 15,000 spectators to give Leipzig the lead, who have taken 19 of a possible 21 points from the last seven games. Promoter Heidenheim equalized through joker Nikola Dovedan (69th), then Openda made the decision in favor of the guests (85th). But the FCH has a pretty comfortable cushion on the relegation place.
Coach in the stands
Leipzig’s suspended coach Marco Rose watched the game from the stands and was represented on the sidelines by his assistants Alexander Zickler and Marco Kurth. Since the Saxons had studied the statutes carefully, the head coach was at least able to speak to the team during the break.
RB had significantly more possession of the ball in the first half, but hardly any significant chances. Two shots from Xavi Simons in the opening phase remained harmless, after just over half an hour Sesko hit the ball into the right side netting.
The Heidenheimers were initially secure defensively. They were waiting for counterattacks and Leipzig inaccuracies – like in the eleventh minute. RB defender Castello Lukeba lost the ball, but Kevin Sessa didn’t know how to punish him and failed with a weak low shot past goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
The Heidenheimers were always looking for their top scorer Tim Kleindienst, who scored twice in the sensational 3-2 win against FC Bayern Munich two weeks ago. A header from the 1.94 meter tall striker was no problem for Gulacsi (29th).
There were many signs that the game would be 0-0 at half-time when the game suddenly picked up speed again. Leipzig international David Raum, who was returning after a suspension, crossed from the left side, the hosts cleared poorly – and Sesko scored powerfully to make it 0-1. The Slovenian was successful in the third game in a row – and for the tenth time in total this Bundesliga season. Sessa almost provided a direct answer, but shot over (43′).
Hot final phase
The second half started poorly from FCH’s perspective. Lennard Maloney had to be substituted after a collision (53′), but then keeper Kevin Müller prevented Leipzig’s Openda (56′) and Simons (65′) from making it 0-2.
Then, out of nowhere, Heidenheim struck back. Dovedan, who had just come on as a substitute, scored the equalizer with a header from a free kick. A hot final phase followed. Simons was denied by Müller (72′), Kleindienst on the other side by Gulacsi (77′). At the end of a counterattack and strong preparatory work by Mohamed Simakan from close range, Openda ultimately ensured Leipzig’s victory. It was the Belgian’s 23rd goal of the season – and Leipzig remains unbeaten against promoted teams in its Bundesliga history.