Openda's strike sees Leipzig triumph over Frankfurt

RB Leipzig 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Goals: 1-0 Šeško 19’, 1-1 Brown 40’ (assist: Uzun), 2-1 Openda 51’ (assist: Baumgartner)

Leipzig and Frankfurt locked horns in a hair-raising Bundesliga encounter at the Red Bull Arena, with both sides eager to secure a crucial victory. The match promised to be a closely contested affair, given the recent form of both teams. Leipzig were looking to build on their recent performances, while Frankfurt aimed to extend their impressive six-game unbeaten run in the league under coach Toppmöller.

Watch: Benjamin Šeško: "We are coming together more and more"

The match burst into life from the opening whistle, with Christoph Baumgartner having a goal disallowed due to Openda being offside in the build-up. The high-octane start set the tone for what was to come. In the 19th minute, Leipzig's pressure paid off when Šeško broke the deadlock. A clever pass from Baumgartner found Šeško, who reacted quickest to head home from close range after an initial save from Kevin Trapp.

Despite Leipzig's dominance, Frankfurt showed resilience and gradually worked their way back into the game. Their persistence was rewarded in the 40th minute when Nathaniel Brown levelled the scores. A brilliant piece of play saw Can Uzun set up Brown with a clever flick, and the young defender finished with aplomb, curling a precise shot into the far corner, the ball striking the post on the way in. The equalizer ensured both teams went into the break on level terms, setting up an intriguing second half.

Watch: Kevin Trapp: "An unlucky ending for us"

The second half began with the same intensity as the first, and it didn't take long for Leipzig to regain their lead. In the 51st minute, Openda proved to be the match-winner, smashing home from close range following a corner. The goal was a testament to Leipzig's set-piece prowess, with Baumgartner again involved in the build-up. Frankfurt, led by the dangerous Omar Marmoush, pushed hard for another equalizer. However, Leipzig's defence, marshalled by Willi Orbán, held firm. Trapp made several crucial saves to keep Frankfurt in the game, but Leipzig's clinical finishing ultimately proved the difference. The match saw several yellow cards in the second half, with Mahmoud Dahoud, Ansgar Knauff, and Brown cautioned for Frankfurt, while Orbán received a yellow for Leipzig. Both managers made strategic substitutions in an attempt to influence the game's outcome, but Marco Rose's Leipzig managed to hold on for the win.

While Openda grabbed the headlines with his winning goal, it was Baumgartner who truly pulled the strings for Leipzig. The Austrian midfielder was at the heart of Leipzig's most dangerous attacks, playing a crucial role in Šeško's opener and providing the assist for Openda's winner. Baumgartner's vision, passing, and movement caused constant problems for the Frankfurt defence. His ability to find space and create opportunities for his teammates was a key factor in Leipzig's victory. Baumgartner's impressive performance was reflected in the stats, as he covered 11.7 km during the match, the highest among Leipzig players, and won 12 challenges, showcasing his all-round contribution to the team's success.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Leipzig 2.95 - Frankfurt 1.0
Fastest player: Ansgar Knauff (Frankfurt), 34.33 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Nathaniel Brown (Frankfurt), 5.54 percent
Most pressed player: Omar Marmoush (Frankfurt), 23 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Kevin Kampl (Leipzig), +2.72

Fantasy Heroes: Christoph Baumgartner (Leipzig, 256 Points), Benjamin Šeško (Leipzig, 221 Points), Loïs Openda (Leipzig, 200 Points)