Christoph Baumgartner brace secures narrow win for RB Leipzig against Hamburg
Christoph Baumgartner's brace clinched a win for RB Leipzig in an extremely hard-fought encounter against Hamburg on Matchday 7.
RB Leipzig 2-1 Hamburg
Goals: 1-0 Baumgartner 45' (assist: Nusa), 1-1 Lokonga 48' (assist: Muheim), 2-1 Baumgartner 50' (assist: Romulo)
The build-up was dominated by the honouring of former Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen, who made 425 appearances for the club between 2013 and 2025 before signing for the visitors in the summer. The match also featured the two youngest coaches in the Bundesliga, with 34-year-old Merlin Polzin up against 37-year-old Ole Werner.
Baumgartner strikes before the break
Both sides started with confidence, with Leipzig's Antonio Nusa and David Raum causing problems for the visitors early on. The first real chance fell to Baumgartner in the 25th minute, but his shot was saved well by Daniel Heuer Fernandes.
Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer then threatened for Hamburg, heading just over in the 33rd minute. Just as the first half seemed destined to end goalless, Nusa delivered a perfect cross for Baumgartner, who lost his marker and headed home at the far post to give Leipzig a 1-0 lead in the 45th minute.
Goals flow after the restart
Hamburg responded immediately after the break when Albert Sambi Lokonga equalised in the 48th minute with a deflected effort that looped over Péter Gulácsi. Leipzig's lead was restored just two minutes later when Baumgartner completed a neat one-two with Rômulo before slotting the ball past Heuer Fernandes to make it 2-1.
Jean-Luc Dompé nearly levelled for Hamburg in the 71st minute, striking the outside of the net with a well-taken free-kick. Former Leipzig star Poulsen was introduced in the 76th minute to a rousing reception from the home fans, as Hamburg pushed for an equaliser. Despite creating several chances late on, the visitors couldn't find a way through Leipzig's resilient defence, with Werner's side holding on for their fifth win of the season.
Player of the Match: Christoph Baumgartner
The Austrian international was the difference-maker for Leipzig, scoring both goals in their 2-1 victory. Beyond his goals, Baumgartner was a constant threat in the final third and worked tirelessly throughout the match.
The midfielder finished with an impressive 322 fantasy points, the highest of any player on the pitch, and his brace took his season tally to four goals in seven matches. His performance earned him a well-deserved Player of the Match award with 41% of the votes.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Leipzig 1.28 - Hamburg 1.38
Fastest player: Ridle Baku (Leipzig), 33.48 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Albert Sambi Lokonga (Hamburg), 2.97 percent
Most pressed player: Antonio Nusa (Leipzig), 28 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: David Raum (Leipzig), +2.65
Fantasy Heroes: Christoph Baumgartner (Leipzig, 322 Points), Antonio Nusa (Leipzig, 275 Points), Miro Muheim (Hamburg, 270 Points)
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