RB Leipzig has maintained its connection to the top duo of the Bundesliga without any shine. Coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team won 1-0 (0-0) at TSG Hoffenheim on Wednesday evening and remains on the heels of Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich. Striker Yussuf Poulsen scored the goal of the day in the almost empty stadium due to the corona (60th minute). While Leipzig has been unbeaten in six Bundesliga games and could benefit from the direct duel between Leverkusen and Bayern next weekend, TSG are still closer to the relegation zone than to the Europa League places with twelve points.
“I saw my team play a nice game. It felt like we didn’t allow anything up to the gate. We played very hard. This defeat is not deserved for us ”, said Hoffenheim coach Sebastian Hoeneß. His counterpart Julian Nagelsmann stated: “Such games are tough. In the end, however, it is these important points that you have to collect. We’re a bit behind on fourth. That is very valuable. That gives us the focus to stay on top. “
In his third duel with his former club, Nagelsmann faced another coach for the third time. After Alfred Schreuder and interim coach Matthias Kaltenbach, Sebastian Hoeneß has been the head coach of Hoffenheim since the beginning of this season. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old relied on the tried and tested: With Dani Olmo, Nagelsmann trusted the double goal scorer from the 2-0 win last June in Sinsheim. In addition, Poulsen and Emil Forsberg began and thus underpinned the offensive basic direction of the Champions League round of 16.
The hosts also presented themselves in the line-up with Andrej Kramaric as well as Munas Dabbur and Christoph Baumgartner rather attack-oriented. The Kraichgauer had the first big chance of the game in the 23rd minute. After a short corner, Sebastian Rudy crossed to the second post, where Kasim Adams actually only had to head in. But the Ghanaian put the ball next to the goal.
The hosts did not allow the Leipzigers to come to the usual combination game with great effort, especially in midfield. So RB did not get the first shot on Hoffenheim goal by Marcel Sabitzer until the 36th minute, but he did not pose a threat to TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. However, in the first 45 minutes of Hoffenheim’s goal opportunities remained in short supply. “Both teams neutralize each other,” said Leipzig’s manager Markus Krösche on Sky TV.
After the harmless Leipzig half-time since April 2018, Nagelsmann switched, brought in Justin Kluivert and Marcel Halstenberg for Emil Forsberg and Nordi Mukiele and converted the defense from a back three to a back four. But it was only when Kevin Vogt was not on the pitch because of an injury treatment that third place struck: Sabitzer headed off a cross after a cross and Poulsen took the lead with an ice cold (60th).
After that, the people of Leipzig looked inspired, but Hoffenheim also thought about playing. While Dayot Upamecano had a good chance for the guests (63rd), RB goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi prevented Hoffenheim’s equalizer from Christoph Baumgartner (72nd) with a brilliant save. Neither team managed anything countable.
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