
Lowly Arminia Bielefeld inflict first defeat on Domenico Tedesco's RB Leipzig
Janni Serra and Masaya Okugawa scored second-half goals as the 10 men of relegation-threatened Arminia Bielefeld celebrated a shock win away to RB Leipzig.
RB Leipzig 0-2 Arminia Bielefeld
Goals: 0-1 Serra (58'), 0-2 Okugawa 75' (assist: Krüger)
Red card: Klos (70')
Leipzig had barely got started when an injury to Emil Forsberg forced Domenico Tedesco into a midfield reshuffle. USMNT captain Tyler Adams was his replacement, but not even his direct running and industry could ruffle the feathers of a dogged Bielefeld unit. Christopher Nkunku headed comfortably over from a Dominik Szoboszlai cross with the hosts' only real attempt on goal, with Arminia stand-in goalkeeper Stefano Kapino untested in a hard-fought first half. Opposite number Peter Gulacsi was beaten on the stroke of half-time, but Okugawa's goal was ruled out for an offside against Patrick Wimmer in the build-up.
Bielefeld's next effort stood, however. Serra instigated a lightning counter with a pass out wide to Florian Krüger, before continuing his run and sliding in to convert after Gulacsi had denied Wimmer at close quarters. Leipzig were given a boost when Arminia substitute Fabian Klos was shown his marching orders upon VAR review, following a dangerous tackle on Willi Orban, but the visitors hadn't read the script. A mistake by Amadou Haidara gifted possession to Krüger, who picked out Okugawa for a clinical finish from 15 yards. Bielefeld battoned down the hatches to end the year only two points adrift of outright safety, with Leipzig six points off the top-four pace in ninth.
Match stats
- Bielefeld beat Leipzig for the first time, at the fifth attempt.
- It was Tedesco's first defeat as Leipzig coach.
- Serra scored his first Bundesliga goal.
- Okugawa is Arminia's top scorer this season with five Bundesliga goals.
- Bielefeld kept their fifth clean sheet of the campaign.
- Twenty-two points is Leipzig's lowest ever Hinrunde return.
Watch: Janni Serra reveals tears after goal

Line-ups
Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) – Mukiele (Simakan 65'), Orban (Brobbey 87'), Gvardiol – Henrichs, Forsberg (Adams 7'), Kampl (Haidara 65'), Angelino – Nkunku, Szoboszlai – Silva
Unused subs: Martinez, Moriba, Bonnah, Novoa, Wosz
Out: Halstenberg (knee), Klostermann (thigh), Laimer (ankle), Olmo (thigh), Poulsen (calf), Saracchi (knee)
Coach: Domenico Tedesco
Bielefeld: Kapino – Brunner (c), Pieper, Nilsson, Andrade – Wimmer (Lasme 71'), Schöpf, Vasiliadis (Kunze 58'), Okugawa – Serra (Klos 58'), Krüger (De Medina 90')
Unused subs: Schulz, Ramos, Czyborra, Fernandes, Cherny
Out: Laursen (muscular), Ortega (not included), Prietl (not included)
Coach: Frank Kramer
Watch: Gulacsi: “It’s not an easy situation for us”

Related news

Matchday 15 teams
Bayern are missing at least three key players ahead of their final game of the year at Heidenheim.

Watch Matchday 15 highlights!
Your one-stop shop for all the goals across Germany's top flight this weekend.

Which Americans are playing in Germany?
How are the likes of Gio Reyna, Joe Scally and newcomer Malik Tillman faring in the Bundesliga in 2025/26?
