RB Leipzig strengthen UEFA Champions League hopes with victory over Union Berlin
RB Leipzig secured their fifth consecutive Bundesliga victory with a commanding 3-1 win over Union Berlin, boosting their UEFA Champions League qualification prospects and leaving Marie-Louise Eta still searching for her first win as Union interim coach.
RB Leipzig 3-1 Union BerlinGoals: 1-0 Finkgräfe 22', 2-0 Rômulo 25', 3-0 Baku 63' (assist: Diomande), 3-1 Doekhi (assist: Juranović) (edited)
Leipzig came into the Matchday 31 opener having won their previous four Bundesliga fixtures. Ole Werner's side had already secured continental football next season but knew that victory at the Red Bull Arena would take them a step closer to a return to Europe's top table in 2026/27.
The visitors, meanwhile, were searching for their first victory since defeating Freiburg 1-0 in mid-March. Victory here would have given Union breathing space over the Bundesliga's relegation play-off position, but they never looked like claiming all three points against Werner's charges on Friday night.
The home side started brightly, with Antonio Nusa forcing a save from Frederik Rønnow in just the seventh minute. The Dane made another fine stop from Rômulo two minutes later, but he was powerless to prevent Max Finkgräfe from opening the scoring midway through the first half. Leopold Querfeld's headed clearance fell straight to the Leipzig full-back, who powered a half-volley past Rønnow from the edge of the area for his first Bundesliga goal.
Things went from bad to worse for Querfeld and Union three minutes later as the defender's attempted header back to Rønnow was intercepted by Rômulo, who stroked the ball into the unguarded net to double the home side's lead.
Union's woes continued shortly after the half-hour mark, when Rønnow was forced off with an injury and replaced by Bundesliga debutant Carl Klaus. The substitute keeper was immediately involved, tipping Christoph Baumgartner's header onto the crossbar to prevent Leipzig from increasing their lead before the interval.
Union improved slightly after the break but still struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. Leipzig remained in control of proceedings and extended their advantage in the 63rd minute, when Diomande teed up Ridle Baku for the hosts' third of the night.
The visitors finally had something to celebrate in the 78th minute when Danilho Doekhi powered home a header from Josip Juranovic's corner, but it proved too little, too late for Eta's side. Ilyas Ansah found the net again in second-half stoppage time, but the substitute's effort was ruled out for offside as Leipzig secured their fifth consecutive victory and moved six points clear of fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart ahead of the weekend's remaining fixtures.
Man of the Match: Yan Diomande
The 19-year-old Ivorian was at the heart of Leipzig's best attacking moves on Friday night, his direct running and creative passing causing constant problems for Union.
His assist for Baku's goal showcased his vision and decision-making, drawing in multiple defenders before releasing his team-mate at the perfect moment.
Diomande also recorded the highest top speed among Leipzig players at the Red Bull Arena (34.61 km/h).
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Leipzig 3.68 - Union Berlin 0.27
Fastest player: Oliver Burke (Union Berlin), 35.09 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 3-1 by Danilho Doekhi (Union Berlin), 9.08 percent
Most pressed player: Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), 22 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Danilho Doekhi (Union Berlin), +3.09
Fantasy Heroes: Danilho Doekhi (Union Berlin, 340 Points), Ridle Baku (RB Leipzig, 259 Points), Max Finkgräfe (RB Leipzig, 255 Points)
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