RB Leipzig dispatch Union Berlin with ease to record fifth straight victory | OneFootball

First-half goals in quick succession from Max Fingräfe and Rômulo put Ole Werner’s side in complete control at the break, before Ridle Baku effectively sealed the result shortly after the hour mark. Danilho Doekhi grabbed a consolation for the visitors, who had little to celebrate across the 90 minutes.

Leipzig asserted their dominance early, underlining their status as one of the league’s form sides. Their first warning arrived after nine minutes, as Yan Diomande surged down the right and picked out an unmarked Rômulo in the box. His effort was well saved by Frederik Rønnow before András Schäfer reacted quickly to head the rebound off the line.

The pressure soon told. After 22 minutes, Leipzig took a deserved lead when Diomande’s cross was parried by Rønnow, only as far as Max Fingräfe on the edge of the area. The full-back struck a superb first-time half-volley into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

Just three minutes later, Leipzig doubled their advantage, capitalising on more hesitant defending from Union. A long ball caused confusion between Leopold Querfeld and Rønnow, with the defender’s weak header back allowing Rômulo to intercept, round the goalkeeper, and calmly finish into an empty net.

Leipzig continued to threaten and struck the crossbar soon after, while Union’s best opportunity of the half fell to Oliver Burke. The forward latched onto a loose pass from El Chadaille Bitshiabu and raced through on goal, but Maarten Vandevoordt stood firm, getting a crucial touch as Burke attempted to round him, allowing Leipzig to clear the danger.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Leipzig firmly in control and Union struggling to gain any foothold.

The hosts put the game beyond doubt in the 63rd minute. Man of the Match Diomande was again central to the move, drawing in two defenders before threading a precise pass into the path of Ridle Baku, who took a touch and squeezed his finish past substitute goalkeeper Carl Klaus to make it 3-0.

Union pulled a goal back with 12 minutes remaining, making the most of a set-piece opportunity. Josip Juranović’s delivery was met by Danilho Doekhi, who rose highest to power a header beyond Vandevoordt and offer a brief glimmer of hope.

However, the goal proved no more than a consolation. Leipzig remained the more dangerous side, and aside from a quickly disallowed offside effort from Ilyas Ansah, they comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.

It marked another assured performance from Ole Werner’s men, who extended their unbeaten home run to six matches and further solidified their position in third place. For Union Berlin, it is now five games without a win and a third consecutive defeat, leaving them 11th with teams below still to play.