Xavi Simons and Lois Openda scored as RB Leipzig ended a four-match winless streak in the Bundesliga with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday. The win strengthens Leipzig’s pursuit of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
Leipzig move up to fifth in the table with 42 points from 26 games, level with fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, who play VfL Bochum on Sunday. The top four teams in Germany qualify for the Champions League.
The home side started strongly, creating several early chances. Openda struck the crossbar from close range, and Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was forced into saves from Simons and David Raum.
Dortmund failed to heed the warnings, and Leipzig took a deserved lead in the 18th minute. Simons lashed home a rebound after Kobel had saved Raum’s initial shot.
Karim Adeyemi almost equalized for Dortmund on the stroke of halftime, but Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi produced an excellent sprawling save.
Leipzig doubled their advantage in the 48th minute. Openda, left unmarked at the far post from a corner, volleyed home Simons’ delivery.
Dortmund responded positively to the second goal, but found Gulacsi in inspired form. The goalkeeper made several fine saves, the best of which came in the 63rd minute, when he raced off his line to deny Serhou Guirassy, who had been played through by Adeyemi.
Dortmund’s European Hopes Fade, Injury Concerns Mount
The defeat leaves Borussia Dortmund languishing in 11th place after their 11th league defeat of the season, their hopes of qualifying for European football next season dwindling.
Defender Nico Schlotterbeck was pessimistic about Dortmund’s chances, telling Sky Sports: “It’s difficult. It’s almost impossible. The chances are very slim right now. We’ll try our best, of course. After the international break, we have to attack somehow.”
The loss was a further setback for Niko Kovac’s team, who had reached the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory at Lille (3-2 on aggregate).
Dortmund’s woes were compounded by an early second-half injury to midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, who limped off with an apparent knee problem. The match highlighted Leipzig’s attacking efficiency and Dortmund’s ongoing struggles in the Bundesliga.
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