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Leipzig (AP) - Borussia Dortmund prevented RB Leipzig's storm from reaching the top of the table and celebrated an important victory in the battle for the championship.
BVB won 3-1 (0-0) in the home-strong Saxony and, in fourth place, reduced the gap to second in the table to three points.
With two points more than Leipzig, Bayern Munich successfully defended the championship lead despite their defeat in Gladbach on Friday.
After an uneventful first half, Jadon Sancho (55th minute) provided the somewhat surprising guest lead.
The preparatory work was a remarkable co-production by Erling Haaland and national player Marco Reus.
For Sancho it was the second goal in the second game in a row, for Leipzig the first goal in the Bundesliga after 429 minutes.
The first home defeat of the season was finally sealed by miracle striker Haaland with a brace (71st / 84th).
Alexander Sörloth's (90th) connection was only cosmetics.
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BVB coach Edin Terzic trusted the same starting line-up that defeated Wolfsburg 2-0 last matchday.
In Reus, Haaland and Sancho, all offensive stars were on the field, but Dortmund initially focused on goal prevention.
Leipzig was much better in the game, had about 70 percent possession at times.
However, the Saxons used the generous space on the ball too seldom and instead tried a quick direct game.
Numerous bad passes in the last third were the result.
A harmless header from Yussuf Poulsen (25th), who returned to the starting line-up, was the first attempt on goal.
Shortly afterwards, BVB had to cope with a setback.
Axel Witsel (28th) slipped away without an opponent and apparently injured his left foot.
The Belgian international was replaced by Emre Can.
This did not change anything in terms of the game until the break, Dortmund remained without a shot on Leipzig goal.
That happened to BVB for the last time in September 2019 when they lost 4-0 at Bayern.
With a total of three shots on goal in the first section, there were fewer than any other Bundesliga game this season.
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Both coaches made little tactical changes, but BVB came out of the break with a bit more offensive urge and a double chance.
Reus's shot (49th) was saved by Peter Gulacsi, and Can's header went over it in the same minute.
But then Sancho's attempt sat.
After a throw-in, Haaland prevailed on the right side, fitted flat into the center, where Reus extended with a heel and Sancho easily pushed in.
RB coach Julian Nagelsmann reacted tactically and switched to a back four.
Next to Poulsen, Alexander Sörloth stormed in front.
However, Leipzig's captain Marcel Sabitzer also had to leave the field injured after a good 60 minutes.
But BVB was now clearly better in the game, the 2-0 through Haaland (65th) only prevented the crossbar.
Two minutes later, Leipzig had the best chance - but Dani Olmo's shot hit the post in the far corner.
Terzic reacted tactically too, bringing in a third central defender in Dan-Axel Zagadou.
Nagelsmann countered and replaced the third striker with Hee-chan Hwang.
Seconds later, Dortmund had the antidote ready and scored the second goal.
Haaland initiated the move with a dribble by four Leipzigers himself, then headed a cross from Sancho into the goal.
In the final decision, Reus levered the RB with a pass, Haaland rounded Gulacsi and pushed in.
Sörloth's first Bundesliga goal was ultimately only good for the statistics.
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210109-99-958210 / 3
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