Leipzig end Hoffenheim’s undefeated record

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RB Leipzig remain hot on leaders FC Bayern München’s heels after ending TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s undefeated record. Timo Werner and Marcel Sabitzer were on target to drown out Nadiem Amiri’s opener in a 2-1 win.

RB Leipzig 2-1 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

Goals: 0-1 Amiri (18’), 1-1 Werner (38’), 2-1 Sabitzer (77’)

Red cards: Wagner (60’)

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Leipzig could have taken the lead inside the first five minutes, but after Werner sped clear in the box his cutback was side-footed narrowly wide by Naby Keita. Hoffenheim returned fire soon after, and how: Under siege, the visitors won possession back on the edge of their area and five passes later Amiri tapped home the opener at the other end. Leipzig got back on level terms with half-time approaching, though, with Werner getting the break of the ball after good pressure from Yussuf Poulsen before poking home the equaliser.

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Julian Nagelsmann brought Switzerland defender Fabian Schär on for Kevin Vogt at the start of the second half, and the fresh legs at the back proved welcome when Sandro Wagner was sent off for a dangerous challenge on the hour. The visitors couldn’t hold out forever with the numerical disadvantage, though there was a hint of fortune about Leipzig’s winner, with Sabitzer’s shot from range taking a wicked deflection late on.

Man of the Match

Werner was a constant nuisance to the Hoffenheim defence, with his pace proving almost undefendable. Germany coach Joachim Löw was watching with interest. Now on 11 goals for the season, a first international cap must be just around the corner now?

Talking Point

If Saturday’s showdown is anything to go by either one of these sides figure to be FC Bayern München’s nearest challengers come the end of the campaign. Victory might have gone either way before Wagner’s red card.

Match Stats

    Werner’s goal was his 11th of the season, making him the top-scoring German in the Bundesliga outright, one goal ahead of Hoffenheim’s Wagner.Kramaric’s assist for the opening goal was his sixth for Hoffenheim this season.Leipzig are now on a seven-game home winning streak, the best such run in the Bundesliga this season. 

Line-ups

Leipzig: Gulacsi - Bernardo, Orban (c), Compper, Halstenberg - Ilsanker, Demme - Keita (Khedira 90'), Sabitzer - Werner (Kaiser 90'), Poulsen (Selke 73’)

Coach: Ralph Hasenhüttl

Hoffenheim: Baumann - Süle, Vogt (Schär 46’), Hübner - Kaderabek, Zuber – Rudy (c) - Demirbay, Amiri (Szalai 76’) - Wagner, Kramaric (Uth 63’)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

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