RB Leipzig overcame their minor results crisis and celebrated another success after their last three games without a win. The Saxons deservedly defeated newly promoted Hamburger SV 2:1 (1:1) after falling behind to stay in touch with the top four in the league. At the end of the 24th matchday in the Bundesliga, fifth-placed Leipzig are two points clear of Stuttgart, who had previously won.
HSV, who did not put up enough of a fight in the second half, conceded their first defeat at home since the end of October after seven games without defeat at the Volksparkstadion. The Hanseatic side failed to extend the gap to the relegation zone. After a weekend in which most of the competition scored, HSV are eleventh, four points off the relegation places.
In front of 57,000 spectators in the sold-out Volksparkstadion, Fabio Vieira (22nd minute) put HSV ahead. Romulo (36') with a dream goal and Yan Diomande (50') made the away win for the Saxons perfect. Romulo was one of the most eye-catching RB professionals: The Brazilian set up the visitors' second goal and missed a penalty in the 62nd minute.
Vieira's fourth goal of the season
Leipzig were well warned: The hosts last lost to Wolfsburg in the league at the end of October. This was followed by draws against FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, as well as a win against VfB Stuttgart.
And HSV made it clear that they have no intention of changing their difficult position against top teams. First Damion Downs failed with his shot (11th) from a turn, then Vieira did better. The Portuguese initiated an attack himself, then received the pass in the RB penalty area a few passes later and scored his fourth goal of the season with a low shot through the legs of visiting goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt.
Bitter for HSV in between: Captain Nicolas Capaldo had to be substituted after just under 20 minutes due to injury.
Dreamy Leipzig equalizer
In the duel between the currently youngest Bundesliga coaches in HSV coach Merlin Polzin (35) and RB coach Ole Werner (37), Polzin started without former Leipzig player Yussuf Poulsen, who has been frequently injured this season but has recently recovered and was under contract with Leipzig for a total of twelve years.
The Dane, who came on as a 67th-minute substitute, saw his former club come back in style. Romulo beat young HSV defender Luka Vuskovic to a pass in the penalty area and, with his back to goal and under pressure, scored a dream equalizer with his heel. Leipzig became increasingly active before half-time and kept the HSV defense busy.
Tennis ball protest before the match
The entertaining first half got off to a curious start: HSV fans had caused an interruption at the start of the match. Shortly after kick-off, supporters threw yellow felt balls onto the pitch from the north stand. However, the match was only interrupted for a short time. Apparently, the protest was directed against the late kick-off time at 7.30 pm, as a banner in the block suggested.
Matches are often played on Sundays so that teams active in the European Cup are relieved. The fans see a background to the late matches, among other things for marketing purposes.
Romulo misses penalty
The second half began with Leipzig in the lead. After a misplaced pass from goalscorer Vieira, the ball landed via Romulo to Diomande, who beat several HSV defenders on the dribble and scored to take the lead.
A little later, Nicolai Remberg unfortunately touched the ball with his hand in the penalty area. Referee Bastian Dankert quickly awarded a penalty. However, Romulo was denied by HSV goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes and missed his third goal.
HSV are back in action on Wednesday (20:30/Sky). The Hanseatic side will then host the next top club in Champions League contenders Bayer 04 Leverkusen in a catch-up game.
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