“Max Finkgräfe broke the deadlock with a composed left-footed finish from the centre of the box, capping a period of sustained Leipzig pressure that had already seen Ouédraogo fire wide and Union's Oliver Burke caught offside at the other end.”
Pivotal“Just three minutes after Finkgräfe's opener, Rômulo doubled Leipzig's lead with a right-footed strike from the centre of the box into the middle of the goal, leaving Union Berlin stunned and the match effectively over as a contest.”
Pivotal“Any faint hope Union Berlin's double substitution at the hour mark might spark a comeback was instantly extinguished when Ridle Baku converted from a difficult angle on the right to make it 3-0, just moments after Leipzig had conceded a corner.”
Pivotal“Danilho Doekhi pulled one back for Union Berlin to make it 3-1, providing a late consolation that gave the scoreline a slightly more respectable look without threatening any kind of genuine comeback.”
RB Leipzig
FC Union Berlin
Outstanding performance
RB Leipzig•AttackerRB Leipzig were simply ruthless. With 67% possession and a staggering 20 shots to Union Berlin's four, this was a performance of controlled aggression from the hosts, who put the game to bed in a devastating seven-minute spell between the 22nd and 29th minutes. Max Finkgräfe struck first from the centre of the box, and Rômulo followed up almost immediately to double the lead, catching Union's shell-shocked backline entirely flat. The visitors attempted a tactical reshuffle at the hour mark — introducing Josip Juranovic and Aljoscha Kemlein — but it only prompted Leipzig to twist the knife further, with Ridle Baku converting from a tight angle on the right to make it 3-0 inside 63 minutes. Union's 24 tackles tell the story of a side chasing shadows all night; Leipzig created nine big chances and, despite squandering seven of them, the three that mattered were taken with clinical efficiency. Danilho Doekhi's late header gave Union a scrap of dignity, but for Leipzig this was a statement win that underlines their European ambitions, while Union Berlin will need to regroup quickly if they are to avoid further slipping toward the lower reaches of the table.
How entertaining was this match?
assist: Yan Diomande
Goal! Ridle Baku scores for RB Leipzig with a right-footed shot from a difficult angle on the right. The match score is now RB Leipzig 3, 1. FC Union Berlin 0.
Corner awarded to 1. FC Union Berlin after Max Finkgräfe concedes.
Substitution for 1. FC Union Berlin: Aljoscha Kemlein comes on for Janik Haberer.
Substitution for 1. FC Union Berlin: Josip Juranovic comes on for Christopher Trimmel.
Substitution for 1. FC Union Berlin: Ilyas Ansah comes on for Andrej Ilic.
RB Leipzig is awarded a corner after Leopold Querfeld concedes.
Andrej Ilic of 1. FC Union Berlin misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from outside the box that goes too high, assisted by Janik Haberer.
Antonio Nusa's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
RB Leipzig wins a corner after Leopold Querfeld concedes.
Assan Ouédraogo's right-footed shot from the center of the box is saved.
The second half begins with RB Leipzig leading 2-0 against 1. FC Union Berlin.
First half ends with RB Leipzig leading 2-0 against 1. FC Union Berlin.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 3 minutes of added time.
Willi Orbán from RB Leipzig wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Willi Orbán from RB Leipzig wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Danilho Doekhi of 1. FC Union Berlin.
Antonio Nusa of RB Leipzig is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Corner awarded to RB Leipzig after Carl Klaus concedes.
Corner awarded to RB Leipzig after a concession by Carl Klaus.
RB Leipzig is awarded a corner after Diogo Leite concedes.
Assan Ouédraogo's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Xaver Schlager provided the assist.
Antonio Nusa of RB Leipzig wins a free kick on the left wing.
Antonio Nusa from RB Leipzig wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Janik Haberer of 1. FC Union Berlin.
Assan Ouédraogo from RB Leipzig wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Christoph BaumgartnerYellow CardChristoph Baumgartner of RB Leipzig receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul committed by Christoph Baumgartner of RB Leipzig.
Foul by Christoph Baumgartner of RB Leipzig.
Leopold Querfeld of 1. FC Union Berlin wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution for 1. FC Union Berlin: Carl Klaus comes on for Frederik Rønnow due to an injury.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Frederik Rønnow of 1. FC Union Berlin.
Willi Orbán from RB Leipzig wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Andrej Ilic of 1. FC Union Berlin.
Andrej Ilic from 1. FC Union Berlin wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Christoph Baumgartner commits dangerous play for RB Leipzig.
Corner awarded to RB Leipzig after a concession by Leopold Querfeld.
Goal! Rômulo scores for RB Leipzig with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the center of the goal. The score is now RB Leipzig 2, 1. FC Union Berlin 0.
Goal! RB Leipzig lead 1-0 against 1. FC Union Berlin. Max Finkgräfe scores for RB Leipzig with a left-footed shot from the center of the box.
Offside called against 1. FC Union Berlin. Oliver Burke is the player caught offside.
Assan Ouédraogo from RB Leipzig misses with a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Ridle Baku from RB Leipzig is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Janik Haberer of 1. FC Union Berlin.
Corner awarded to RB Leipzig after a concession by András Schäfer.
Corner awarded to RB Leipzig after a concession by András Schäfer.
Rômulo's left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Yan Diomande provided the assist.
Foul committed by Rômulo of RB Leipzig.
Leopold Querfeld from 1. FC Union Berlin wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Christoph Baumgartner from RB Leipzig has a left-footed shot from very close range that goes wide to the left.
Antonio Nusa's right-footed shot from the left side of the box is saved.
Corner awarded to 1. FC Union Berlin after being conceded by Max Finkgräfe.
Antonio Nusa from RB Leipzig wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Christopher Trimmel of 1. FC Union Berlin.
