Emergency overshadows game
RB Leipzig ends Union’s big series with magic goal
9/3/2023, 7:28 p.m
Union Berlin loses a Bundesliga home game for the first time in over 18 months. Because RB Leipzig is more effective first and then puts the lid on it spectacularly. A medical emergency occurs at the stadium in the second half.
With an artful shot by Xavi Simons and a double strike by Benjamin Sesko, RB Leipzig overcame its Union trauma and also ended the impressive home run of the Berliners. After the last five defeats against the Irons in the Bundesliga, the Saxons prevailed 3-0 (0-0). It was Union’s first defeat at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei after 24 league games. Curious: Even in the last defeat so far, the 0: 3 against Borussia Dortmund in February 2022, the name of the guest coach was Marco Rose.
The Dutchman Simons (51st minute) put Leipzig in the lead. Substitute Sesko’s two goals (85′, 87′) made the final score. Especially the 3-0 will bring to mind: Sesko put the ball to Dani Olmo with a heel in the run-up to the goal, the Spaniard served the striker with his outside instep and he headed the ball straight into the goal.
Bonucci causes euphoria
RB prevented a false start in the league and climbed to fourth place in the table ahead of the Berliners with their second win of the season. In front of 22,012 spectators in the sold-out arena, Union striker Kevin Volland (64th) saw the red card after a foul on Mohamed Simakan.
Another enormously eventful week ended with a setback for Union, although the football Sunday had started with a lot of atmosphere. The first big round of applause erupted almost 90 minutes before the game from the Union fans who were already there. Leonardo Bonucci stepped onto the lawn in the stadium at the Alte Försterei for the first time on a match day. The Italian European champions are a symbol, practically the icing on the cake for the rapid rise of the Irons into the continental football elite.
You don’t have to “tweak” yourself, said club boss Dirk Zingler before kick-off on the DAZN microphone, but this week was “special” with Real Madrid as the drawn Champions League opponent, Robins Gosens as the first current DFB -National player and just Bonucci’s arrival from Juventus Turin. The star defender sat on the bench first, that’s just the way it is with the irons. From there, Bonucci saw a game of the Scanning category. The mutual respect was palpable. Leipzig had lost five times in a row 1:2 against Köpenicker in the league.
Emergency medical service overshadows the final phase
“We want to stay true to ourselves and be confident. We know exactly what’s coming,” said coach Rose. In fact, the Saxons did not let themselves be taken by surprise as in previous Union appearances. The rooms were blocked, a chance was lurking up front, but again there was no room for Timo Werner in this concept. The Berliners had only one chance in the first half with a header from Kevin Volland (13′). Since delivering and preventing chances is also a genuine Union quality, Leipzig only had two chances to shoot through Youssuf Poulsen (15th) and the very agile Simons (18th). It wasn’t particularly dangerous.
Bonucci warmed up with the other substitutes at the break, high fives for new teammates Robin Knoche and Danilho Doekhi as they re-entered the pitch. From the bench, the Italian saw how Simons felt the ball from around 18 meters into the Union goal. It was the first gap in the Berlin defense. Union reacted hectically and unhappily. Volland hit Simakan from behind with a sliding tackle. Referee Daniel Schlager pulled out the red card. Outnumbered, Union found no way to avert defeat.
In the final quarter of an hour, it was temporarily quiet in the stadium because of an emergency doctor’s call. There was an emergency in the guest block, both fan camps stopped supporting for several minutes. Meanwhile, a rescue helicopter landed behind the stands and had not yet taken off by the end of the game. There is no information yet on the condition of the person concerned.