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Marco Reus remained pale against Leipzig

Photo: Dennis Ewert / Rhr-Foto / IMAGO / RHR-Foto

Borussia Dortmund lost the chasing duel in the Bundesliga against RB Leipzig 2:3 (1:1). An own goal by Dortmund's Ramy Bensebaini had given RB the lead (32nd minute), Niklas Süle equalised for BVB (45th+6th). Then goals from Leipzig's Christoph Baumgartner (54') and Yussuf Poulsen (90'+1') ensured the decision. Niklas Füllkrug made it 2-3 (90+2). Dortmund were outnumbered after Mats Hummels was shown a red card in the 15th minute.

Leipzig are now fourth in the table, four points ahead of Borussia, who have won just one of their last six league games. Both teams will be challenged in the Champions League next week. Dortmund will play Paris Saint-German on Wednesday (21 p.m./TV: DAZN) for top spot in the group, before Leipzig will face Young Boys from Bern (18:45 p.m., TV: DAZN).

BVB wanted to become more confident, more present and more courageous in attack after being knocked out of the DFB Cup during the week. And that's how Edin Terzic's team presented themselves in the early stages of the chasing duel with Leipzig – until a ball from Leipzig's Xaver Schlager changed the game: Actually intended as a clearing action, he ended up with a pass to Loïs Openda, who ran freely towards BVB keeper Gregor Kobel, Hummels could only stop him with a foul. Referee Sven Jablonski first decided on a penalty and yellow for Hummels, after video evidence Hummels saw red and Leipzig were awarded a free kick instead of a penalty. Hummels is said to have fouled Openda just outside the penalty area (15').

Leipzig now exerted a lot of pressure when they were outnumbered. Goals from Mohamed Simakan (19') and Amadou Haïdara (22') prevented Kobel from giving Leipzig the lead, and he was powerless to stop his own team-mate Bensebaini's header from a corner (32').

BVB equalise, only to fall behind again immediately

It wasn't until the end of the first half that BVB stabilised and created chances of their own again. Thomas Meunier, who had slipped through Schlager's pass, and Salih Özcan were denied by RB goalkeeper Janis Blaswich before Süle scored the surprising equaliser after an assist from Julian Brandt (45'+6'). Süle only came into the game because Hummels had to leave the pitch.

Shortly after the break, however, BVB suffered another setback: Xavi Simons had too much space in the penalty area, moved inside and finished – Kobel could only let it go, Baumgartner dusted off (54'). The game became more heated after that, with Jablonski handing out three yellow cards. Leipzig did not create many high-quality chances despite being outnumbered, again Baumgartner failed first to Kobel and then to the post (73rd).

Then Leipzig also made many mistakes in the build-up to the game, BVB struggled for more attacking power with Karim Adeyemi, Donyell Malen and Gio Reyna, but could no longer come up with dangerous finishes. Instead, Poulsen increased the lead to 3-1 after a counterattack (90+1). Füllkrug's goal from a corner did nothing to change the outcome of the game (90+2), although BVB still had chances to equalise at the last minute through Reyna and Süle.

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