Openda and Sesko fire Leipzig to victory against 10-man Union

Despite the Redbull Arena being a happy hunting ground of late for Union Berlin, hosts RB Leipzig put their visitors from Kopenick to the sword in a 2-0 win. Goals came from Marco Rose’s selected strike partnership of Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko.

Die Roten Bullen started at breakneck speed from the kickoff and instantly put their visitors under pressure. This dominance finally told after an 11th minute set-piece that was initially struck goalwards by Henrichs but fell to Openda who smashed home from an acute angle. Alexander Schwolow, deputising for the absent Ronnow, made a splendid save to keep the scores at 1-0. The German’s fingertip save directing Openda’s low drive around the post.

While Leipzig remained in the ascendency, clear chances were few and far between in the wintery deluge. Dani Olmo came close to orchestrating the perfect move on a couple of occasions; however, the final pass was lacking quality more often than not. A final Sesko header from a Raum corner would be prevented by Schwolow once more.

As was the case in the first half, Marco Rose’s men doubled their lead inside four second half minutes. David Raum whipped his freekick towards the near post where Benjamin Sesko raced forth to head beyond Schwolow this time. The Slovenian striker appeared to double his tally soon after as Olmo supplied a beautiful rabona cross, only for VAR to rule the Spaniard offside.

Union’s ambitions of salvaging something from the game faded dramatically when they were reduced to 10-men with just under 20 minutes to play. Christopher Trimmel’s poorly timed tackle snagged the heel of David Raum who was sent tumbling in agony. An already cruising Leipzig saw the game out, placing them a solitary point behind Dortmund in the Champions League places.

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