Christoph Baumgartner's double secures vital away win for RB Leipzig against spirited Cologne
RB Leipzig maintained their top-four push with a hard-fought 2-1 win away at Cologne, edging a thrilling encounter thanks to a Christoph Baumgartner double either side of Jan Thielmann's goal.
Cologne 1-2 RB Leipzig
Goals: 0-1 Baumgartner 30‘ (assist: Raum), 1-1 Thielmann 51‘, 1-2 Baumgartner 56‘ (assist: Schlager)
Leipzig arrived in Cologne looking to maintain their remarkable record of never having lost against a promoted side in Bundesliga history, but they faced a confident Cologne team who had won their previous two home matches.
The visitors had been struggling in recent weeks, losing two of their first three matches after returning from the winter break and sliding from second place after ten games to fifth in the table. For the Billy Goats, a return of two victories from their opening three games of the second half of the season had given them a five-point cushion above the relegation zone.
Fast start and first-half breakthrough
Both sides made a determined start in Cologne, with early chances at each end. The hosts should have taken the lead in the sixth minute when Ragnar Ache fed Saïd El Mala inside the area, but his first-time shot was straight at Péter Gulácsi. Leipzig responded immediately as David Raum's low cross was met by Baumgartner, whose effort was saved by Marvin Schwäbe, before Rômulo hit the post with the rebound.
El Mala missed another gilt-edged chance for the hosts in the 23rd minute before Leipzig struck the opener in the 29th minute. Raum whipped in a free-kick that Baumgartner met perfectly, flicking his header over Schwäbe to give the visitors a 1-0 half-time lead.
Thielmann equalises, Baumgartner responds
Cologne started the second half on the front foot with Ache heading wide from Kristoffer Lund's cross. The hosts' pressure paid off in the 51st minute with a stunning strike from Thielmann. After a scramble on the edge of the box, the ball fell to Thielmann who unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the top corner past a helpless Gulácsi.
The joy was short-lived for the Billy Goats, however. Just five minutes later, Baumgartner restored Leipzig's advantage with a moment of brilliance. Xaver Schlager slipped a pass into the Austrian, who controlled the ball with his back to goal before turning and firing an unstoppable shot into the near corner.
VAR drama as Leipzig hold firm
The hosts thought they had a penalty in the 77th minute when Baumgartner appeared to block Thielmann's goal-bound effort with his hand, but after a lengthy VAR check, the referee ruled that there had been an offside in the build-up. Despite nine minutes of added time and late pressure from the hosts, including a flurry of substitutions from both managers, Leipzig held on for a 2-1 victory that kept their Champions League qualification hopes on track.
Man of the Match: Christoph Baumgartner
The Austrian midfielder was the undoubted star of the show, scoring both of Leipzig's goals with two very different but equally impressive finishes. His first-half header from Raum's free-kick was perfectly placed, looping over Schwäbe into the net, while his second goal showcased his technical ability as he controlled, turned and fired home in one fluid movement.
Beyond his goals, Baumgartner covered more ground than any other Leipzig player (11.9km) and consistently threatened the Cologne defence with his movement and link-up play. The 392 Fantasy points he earned were the highest of any player in the match, reflecting his decisive contribution to Leipzig's victory.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Cologne 1.16 - Leipzig 2.58
Fastest player: Yan Diomande (Leipzig), 34.97 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Jan Thielmann (Cologne), 4.5 percent
Most pressed player: Antonio Nusa (Leipzig), 26 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Marvin Schwäbe (Cologne), +2.27
Fantasy Heroes: Christoph Baumgartner (Leipzig, 392 Points), Ragnar Ache (Cologne, 246 Points), Jan Thielmann (Cologne 217 Points)
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