Berlin, Dec. 4 (BNA): Defender Timo Baumgartel was the hero as he assisted in the opening match of Union Berlin and scored a 2-1 victory over RB Leipzig, which led the capital’s team to the top of the German Bundesliga.
With the snow falling, players can celebrate with the vast majority of the 13,506 fans in attendance, who were still allowed into the stadium in droves before the 5,000 cap was imposed as part of the latest coronavirus restrictions.
German news agency (dpa) reported that Baumgartel scored the winning goal from close range in the 57th minute after a well-functioning corner kick veered off his path.
“Over 90 minutes we won, well deserved,” said Max Cruz of Union. “We played a very strong game and we could have won more than that.
“We are not unfairly high in the table.”
It was another corner, worked for a short time and passed to Baumgartel at the back post, which gave Al Ittihad the lead. And his header crossed the goal for Taiwo Ooni to achieve his ninth place this season.
Leipzig equalized in a stunning 13th minute that started with kicking misses Sheraldo Becker and Kroos Kroos when Al Ittihad’s second goal looked certain.
But after just 45 seconds the ball was past Union as Andreas Loth missed Christopher Nkunku’s long shot over the line.
And that was not enough to prevent Leipzig, runners-up last season, from losing their third consecutive defeat. Goalkeeper Peter Gulassi, returning from infection with the Corona virus, has been a bright spot even as coach Jesse Marsh remains in isolation as one of the many affected by the outbreak at the club.
CEO Oliver Mintslav said the performance was “disastrous” and “desolate,” adding: “We had a terrible game.”
Leipzig are eighth, but could fall over the weekend, while Union remain in the Champions League for at least 24 hours.
Saturday also saw leaders Bayern Munich visit second-placed Borussia Dortmund in a match that will be played in front of only 15,000 fans due to the pandemic.
NS