Leipzig legend becomes New Yorker
Emil Forsberg treats himself to a fairytale goal as a goosebumps farewell
December 16, 2023, 8:28 p.m
It’s a story that only football writes. In his last game in his stadium, that of RB Leipzig, Emil Forsberg scored shortly after being substituted on. He kisses his club’s logo, scores another goal and leads his Bulls to a Bundesliga victory over Hoffenheim.
Playmaker Emil Forsberg gave RB Leipzig an early Christmas present at his farewell performance. Led by the Swedes, who were willing to change, the DFB Cup winners won 3-1 (1-1) against direct Champions League rivals TSG Hoffenheim. With 32 points, the Saxons jumped to third place in the premier class – nine points ahead of the Kraichgauers.
National player Lukas Klostermann (34th), Forsberg himself (70th) and Mohamed Simakan (74th) scored for Leipzig, Ozan Kabak was successful for Hoffenheim after a mistake by RB goalkeeper Janis Blaswich (42nd).
For Forsberg, who is about to move to the New York Red Bulls after nine years, it was a very special last home game in the RB uniform. First he came on as a substitute in the 66th minute, then four minutes later he scored the important 2-1. According to media reports, the Swede will leave the club after the end of the year at Werder Bremen on Tuesday.
Forsberg is currently on the bench
“When and how, we’ll see, but he will be on the pitch,” coach Marco Rose had announced in advance. At first, however, Forsberg sat on the bench, bundled up, and saw how Leipzig were putting pressure on them. Since Hoffenheim’s five-man chain stood well despite the opposition’s dominance, RB only had a few half-chances at the beginning before Xavi Simons (17th) tested TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann more seriously for the first time.
Without the injured striker Wout Weghorst and Maximilian Beier, who initially sat out after an infection, TSG had to hope for a counterattack. Andrej Kramaric (24th) hit the side netting after one. But Leipzig remained the dominant team. Yussuf Poulsen (30th) should have taken the lead in a one-on-one with the strong Baumann, which Klostermann took four minutes later with a shot from the fray.
“Emil Forsberg”
Because RB did not immediately convert their superiority into the second goal – after a great Xavi solo, Baumann (36th) parried in desperate need – Hoffenheim got back into the game with a bit of luck. After Robert Skov’s free-kick cross, the onrushing Blaswich flew past the ball, which Kabak used his entire body to send into the net to equalize.
Immediately after the break, Leipzig continued to be more compelling, with Xavi shining as usual with his dribbling. When he had easily shaken off his guards five minutes after the restart, the Dutchman shot straight into the post. Rose now pushed for the winning goal, partly by substituting Forsberg.
And the 32-year-old actually scored ice-cold after a wonderful assist from Lois Openda. Even before Simakan’s goal, Forsberg had hit the crossbar. At the very end, Forsberg scored an offside goal. Then the fans sang “Emil Forsberg” and it was over. The Swede said on Sky: “I can hardly believe it, you dream of something like that, scoring a goal in the last home game. But everything has an end. It feels incredible. I love this city and the fans.”