Death overshadows RB Leipzig's victory in Cottbus

Overshadowed by the death of a fan, RB Leipzig easily advanced to the last 16 of the DFB Cup. As with the 6-0 win in Augsburg, the two-time cup winners were also hugely efficient at Energie Cottbus, winning 4-1 (3-0) against the only remaining third division side in the competition.

However, the victory was overshadowed by the tragic incident involving a Leipzig supporter. "Tragically, a medical emergency occurred at the entrance to the stadium without any outside influence. We have just received the sad news that the RB Leipzig fan concerned has died in hospital," RB announced during the match. The RB fans then stopped their support. The Cottbus home block also remained quiet for a good quarter of an hour.

Meanwhile, the game was quickly decided. In front of 19,700 spectators in the sold-out LEAG Energie Stadion - including 2,000 Leipzig supporters - Johan Bakayoko (13th minute) gave the Saxons an early lead. Christoph Baumgartner (28./37.) increased the lead with a double strike. Ezechiel Banzuzi scored in the second half (59'). The Cottbus goal by substitute Erik Engelhardt (86') was no longer significant.

Cottbus expert Werner wins for the third time

RB coach Ole Werner, who beat Cottbus in the cup for the third time after 2022 (2-1) and 2024 (3-1) with Bremen, made four changes after the 6-0 win in Augsburg. Maarten Vandevoordt started in goal, as he did in the cup opener in Sandhausen (4-2). El-Chadaille made his starting debut this season in the back four, while Bakayoko and Banzuzi started in midfield.

Cottbus coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz, who is still unbeaten at home with Energie this season, made five changes. Engelhardt, who was forced off in the 4-3 defeat to Havelse, took his place on the bench. Nevertheless, the hosts, who had eliminated Hannover 96 in the first round, had the first chance through Merveille Biankadi, but RB keeper Vandevoordt saved the shot from a half-left position (8').

RB turn four chances into three goals

As in Augsburg, RB proved to be extremely efficient. Bakayoko (13) took the first chance to take the lead when he moved into the penalty area from half-right and struck into the near corner from 14 meters. FCE keeper Marius Funk prevented the early 0:2 with a save from Christoph Baumgartner (16), but Funk was powerless when the Austrian headed home from a corner (28). Baumgartner (37') then expertly flicked a quick free-kick from Raum past Funk in the penalty area to make it 3-0. RB thus turned four chances into three goals.

After the break, Banzuzi even scored Leipzig's fourth goal. After that, RB made an early substitution after a good hour and managed the safe lead. After a Tidiam Gomis back-heel to Andrija Maksimovic (76'), the latter just missed the target. In the end, Cottbus were also able to celebrate at least once.