Ingolstadt hold Leipzig to open door for Bayern
Relegation-threatened Ingolstadt held high-flying RB Leipzig to a draw at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon, opening the door for Bayern Munich to be crowned Bundesliga champions at Wolfsburg later in the day.
RB Leipzig 0-0 Ingolstadt
Red card: Morales (86')
Leipzig conceded their first ever Bundesliga defeat at the hands of Ingolstadt back on Matchday 14, and looked determined to exact their revenge at the Red Bull Arena. After a bright start, Yussuf Poulsen forced a good early save from Martin Hansen, while Emil Forsberg and Timo Werner also went close after Ingolstadt had wasted a couple of well-placed free-kicks. It was a slightly scrappy affair, with four players picking up yellow cards before half-time. Though Leipzig dominated possession, they were unable to find their trademark cutting edge up top, as the two sides went in goalless at the break.
Ingolstadt caught the hosts napping in the first minute of the second half, but Sonny Kittel fired just off target, before Poulsen squandered a golden opportunity to put Leipzig in front after a wonderful through ball from Naby Keita. Werner wasted a good chance of his own minutes later, before Marcel Sabitzer drilled a long-range attempt just wide. The longer the game went on, the more it resembled an attack-versus-defence exercise, but though they huffed and puffed, Leipzig simply couldn't blow Ingolstadt's house down. In spite of further chances for Forsberg, Sabitzer and Davie Selke - and Alfredo Morales' dismissal for a second yellow card - it finished goalless, giving Bayern Munich the opportunity to wrap up the title with a win at Wolfsburg.
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Man of the Match
Not many teams have come away from the Red Bull Arena with points this season, but Ingolstadt managed to contain the Bundesliga high-fliers, thanks in particular to a commanding performance from captain Marvin Matip. The 31-year-old centre-back led by example and played a vital role in keeping out the hosts' formidable attack.
Talking Point
Ingolstadt seem to have become Leipzig's Bundesliga bogey team, although it remains to be seen whether the two sides will meet again in the top flight next term. Having slipped to their first ever Bundesliga defeat against Die Schanzer on Matchday 14, the newcomers were frustrated here again - and now Bayern have a chance to seal a record 26th Bundesliga title.
Match Stats
- Ingolstadt are only the fourth side to pick up points at the Red Bull Arena this season, along with Gladbach, Wolfsburg and Hamburg.Leipzig are unbeaten in all eight of their Bundesliga games in which it was 0-0 at half-time.With an average age of 23.8 years old, this was Leipzig's second youngest starting XI of the season. Ingolstadt's starting line-up had an average age of 27.3 years old.
Line-ups:
Leipzig: Gulacsi – Bernardo (Burke 88'), Upamecano, Ilsanker, Halstenberg (Schmitz 72') – Sabitzer, Keita, Demme (c), Forsberg – Poulsen, Werner (Selke 67')
Coach: Ralph Hasenhüttl
Ingolstadt: Hansen – Matip (c), Roger, Tisserand – Hadergjonaj, Morales, Cohen, Suttner – Leckie (Lex 37'), Lezcano (Christiansen 88'), Kittel (Jung 75')
Coach: Maik Walpurgis
Watch: Leipzig attacker Forsberg cut a frustrated figure after the goalless draw