Leipzig's promotion series continues against Cologne

RB Leipzig have stabilized further and established themselves in the top flight of the Bundesliga. The Saxons celebrated their third win in a row with a 3:1 (3:1) victory against promoted FC Köln and climbed to second place in the table for the time being. Leipzig also extended a long-term winning streak: RB have been without defeat against promoted teams for 37 games (32 wins, five draws). Cologne are in fourth place after their first defeat.

Assan Ouedraogo (13th minute) had put Leipzig ahead before Jan Thielmann (23rd) equalized. Before the break, Romulo (44) and captain David Raum (45.+4) made it clear with a double strike.

Ouedraogo makes his goalscoring debut

Former Schalke player Ouedraogo, who played after injuries to Xaver Schlager (calf) and Antonio Nusa (broken arm), justified coach Ole Werner's confidence with his first goal in an RB shirt on his starting debut. When the Cologne backline failed to clear the ball after a corner, the U20 international fired the ball under the crossbar from three meters after failing to beat Marvin Schwäbe at the first attempt.

Thielmann (23) made the most of Cologne's first chance to equalize. After a through pass from ex-Leipzig player Eric Martel, he slid the ball past RB keeper Peter Gulacsi to make it 1-1. RB then pressed, Romulo (43) had the lead again on his feet, but did not get enough pressure on the ball from close range. The Brazilian then did better a minute later, when he lashed the ball into the net. In stoppage time of the first half, captain Raum increased the lead to 3:1 with a direct free-kick.

After an hour, Cologne coach Lukas Kwasniok brought on three fresh players. Joker Ragnar Ache (60') had the equalizer on his feet, but missed from close range. Leipzig's Yan Diomande (59) could have added to his tally but failed to beat FC goalkeeper Schwäbe. Leipzig then gave the Rhinelanders too much space, slowed down the tempo a little and mainly lurked on the counter-attack. Romulo shot onto the outside of the net at the end.

Timo Werner back in the squad for the first time

It was a special afternoon for Leipzig's record goalscorer Timo Werner. The 29-year-old striker, who has scored 113 goals in 213 games, was back in the matchday squad for the first time. During the warm-up, chants of "Timo Werner" echoed through the Red Bull Arena, which was sold out with 47,170 spectators.

The former international, who no longer played a role in the Saxons' squad planning but still has a contract until the summer of 2026, benefited from the many injuries at RB. Coach Werner attested to the attacker's impeccable attitude in training and promoted him to the squad for the first time.

Werner played his last Bundesliga game for RB before his loan spell at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in November 2023.