A major talking point | OneFootball

It was the seventh minute of stoppage time when a dangerous cross drifted into the Leverkusen penalty area and struck Bayer captain Robert Andrich on a clearly raised arm above his head. The whistle from referee Benjamin Brand never came. A VAR check followed, but the decision stood: no penalty for RB Leipzig.

It was a moment that continued to fuel debate long after the final whistle. “For me, it’s a clear mistake,” Ole Werner said afterwards. “His arm is clearly above the head. That is handball, there’s no discussion to be had.”

Instead of a possible late equaliser, Leipzig were caught moments later as Leverkusen punished their high line on the counter and sealed a 3-1 win. What made the situation even more frustrating for Werner was that referees’ representatives had previously made the interpretation very clear to him. Arms raised that high inside the penalty area, he was told, are considered “a clear penalty”. On this occasion, though, that principle was not applied.

Nothing changes Werner’s view

Ole Werner had little time for the suggestion that Andrich may have lost control of his body in the challenge with Willi Orban, or that the Leipzig defender had caused the situation. “Willi simply stood his ground,” Werner explained. “He didn't step into Andrich and actually got a touch from an opponent just beforehand too.”

Leverkusen captain Andrich was also asked about the incident after the match. “Of course it was handball,” the 31-year-old admitted, though he pointed to the contact with Orban as the reason he lost his balance. Referee Benjamin Brand did not comment on the decision, leaving the call without any official explanation.

Raum admits mistakes cost Leipzig

Leipzig’s first home defeat of the season brought an end to an impressive run of seven straight competitive wins at the Red Bull Arena. The frustration was compounded by the late handball incident, with a potential equaliser denied, something that also left David Raum shaking his head. “I find it very disappointing that the referee didn’t even go to look at it,” said the captain after the final whistle.

Christoph Baumgartner, who was perfectly placed behind Robert Andrich as the cross came in, also struggled to accept the decision. “For me, that’s a clear penalty,” he said.

Still, our boys were keen not to hide behind the controversial call. “We can’t blame it on that,” Raum stressed. “We lost the game because we made two stupid mistakes in the first half.”

Key attackers set to return in January

Despite a frustrating defeat to close out the year, RB Leipzig can still look back on a strong start to the season. With 29 points from 15 matches, the Red Bulls sit fourth in the table, just three points off second place and Borussia Dortmund.

The team's current record explains the confident tone within the squad when looking ahead to the start of 2026, which begins with an away trip to FC St. Pauli on Saturday, 10th January (15:30 CET). “We’ll bounce back – and I’m already looking forward to it,” said Christoph Baumgartner.

Ole Werner struck a similar note after the final whistle. “The lads can be proud of what they’ve achieved. They should enjoy the break with their families and clear their heads,” said the head coach, before setting the tone for the new year: “We’ll go again.”

From January onwards, Werner is also expected to have his full attacking firepower back at his disposal. Assan Ouédraogo (3 goals, 4 assists), Antonio Nusa (2 goals, 2 assists) and Johan Bakayoko (3 goals) are all on course to return from injury in time for the restart. Breakout performer Yan Diomande (7 goals, 4 assists) is set to rejoin the squad later in January following his Africa Cup of Nations involvement.

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