PLAYER RATINGS | RB Leipzig 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt | OneFootball

RB Leipzig get back on track making it two wins in the Bundesliga in a row as they see of Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1.

The hosts started the first half hotly having a goal disallowed for offside within the first minute showing how lethal they are on the counter (remember this for later). Leipzig continued to have chance after chance and opened the scoring when Benjamin Seško headed in a parried shot. Kevin Trapp continued to hold off Frankfurt’s attempts at goal to keep die Adler in the game.

While this was happening Frankfurt then began to grow into the game. Omar Marmoush provided a scare for the Leipzig defence when his free-kick hit the crossbar. Then Frankfurt equalised in the 40th minute when former Nürnberg teammates and friends off the pitch Can Uzun and Nathaniel Brown linked up to allow the left-back to lash in a shot off of the post to make it 1-1.

In the second half, Leipzig continued to look lethal on the counter (again make a note of this) but it was from a set piece they would take the lead. A corner is played in a flick on by Christoph Baumgartner to the back post, where wide open is Loïs Openda, who volleys home to score his first goal in five Bundesliga games. Leipzig could have scored more in the second half if it were not for Trapp who made save after save to keep the hosts out. Most of Frankfurt’s chances in the second 45 were through Marmoush but the Egypitan could not put the team on his back. There was an interesting point however where Marmoush was tackled in the box by Baumgartner but did not go down for what would have likely been a penalty.

The win for Leipzig is a statement one as it puts them back on track in the league after their Champions League elimination in midweek. This also sets up Leipzig’s next game nicely as they travel to Bayern Munich for their final game before the winter break. A win against the Rekordmeister will close the gap to them to three points and will paper over most of Leipzig’s recent problems.

Leipzig will fancy their chances now against Bayern as they have shown how lethal they can be on…the counter (no prizes for guessing this as it was foreshadowed earlier) and this has consistently been one of Bayern’s weak points throughout this season. Leipzig will just have to hope their defence holds up (Bayern 4-0 Leipzig incoming).

Frankfurt has hit the buffers recently and seems to be too dependent on Marmoush to help them to victory. Regardless, they are still in the top four and could end the year only three points off of the top if results go their way as well.

RB Leipzig:

Maarten Vandevoordt (6), Nicolas Seiwald (6), Willi Orban (5), Luthsharel Geertruida (6), Benjamin Henrichs (5), Xaver Schlager (5), Kevin Kampl (5), Antonio Nusa (6), Christoph Baumgarter (7), Benjamin Seško (6), Loïs Openda (7)

Others: Lukas Klostermann (5), André Silva (5), El Chadaille Bitshiabu (-)

Eintracht Frankfurt:

Kevin Trapp (7), Rasmus Kristensen (5), Robin Koch (5), Arthur Theate (6), Nathaniel Brown (6), Ansgar Knauff (5), Mahmoud Dahoud (4), Hugo Larsson (5), Can Uzun (6), Hugo Ekitiké (5), Omar Marmoush (6)

Others: Oscar Hojlund (5), Jean Bahoya (5), Igor Matanovic (5), Farès Chaïbi (-), Niels Nkounkou (-)

GGFN Man of the Match: Loïs Openda (7)

Back to his best. Openda has struggled in recent games, but that has been in line with Leipzig’s form today looked back to the striker everyone knows he can be with his performance. Had plenty of shots at goal and probably could have scored more if it weren’t for Trapp (who deserves a shout-out).

Openda’s other highlight was when he was substituted as he used, rather cleverly, a red bull can to help ease the pain in his ‘groin’ after blocking a shot.

GGFN | Jack Meenan