bundesliga

Lowly Arminia Bielefeld inflict first defeat on Domenico Tedesco's RB Leipzig

xwhatsappmailcopy-link

Janni Serra and Masaya Okugawa scored second-half goals as the 10 men of relegation-threatened Arminia Bielefeld celebrated a shock win away to RB Leipzig.

Advertisement

RB Leipzig 0-2 Arminia Bielefeld
Goals: 0-1 Serra (58'), 0-2 Okugawa 75' (assist: Krüger)
Red card: Klos (70')

Leipzig had barely got started when an injury to Emil Forsberg forced Domenico Tedesco into a midfield reshuffle. USMNT captain Tyler Adams was his replacement, but not even his direct running and industry could ruffle the feathers of a dogged Bielefeld unit. Christopher Nkunku headed comfortably over from a Dominik Szoboszlai cross with the hosts' only real attempt on goal, with Arminia stand-in goalkeeper Stefano Kapino untested in a hard-fought first half. Opposite number Peter Gulacsi was beaten on the stroke of half-time, but Okugawa's goal was ruled out for an offside against Patrick Wimmer in the build-up.

Bielefeld's next effort stood, however. Serra instigated a lightning counter with a pass out wide to Florian Krüger, before continuing his run and sliding in to convert after Gulacsi had denied Wimmer at close quarters. Leipzig were given a boost when Arminia substitute Fabian Klos was shown his marching orders upon VAR review, following a dangerous tackle on Willi Orban, but the visitors hadn't read the script. A mistake by Amadou Haidara gifted possession to Krüger, who picked out Okugawa for a clinical finish from 15 yards. Bielefeld battoned down the hatches to end the year only two points adrift of outright safety, with Leipzig six points off the top-four pace in ninth.

Match stats

  • Bielefeld beat Leipzig for the first time, at the fifth attempt.
  • It was Tedesco's first defeat as Leipzig coach.
  • Serra scored his first Bundesliga goal.
  • Okugawa is Arminia's top scorer this season with five Bundesliga goals.
  • Bielefeld kept their fifth clean sheet of the campaign.
  • Twenty-two points is Leipzig's lowest ever Hinrunde return.

Watch: Janni Serra reveals tears after goal

Line-ups

Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) – Mukiele (Simakan 65'), Orban (Brobbey 87'), Gvardiol – Henrichs, Forsberg (Adams 7'), Kampl (Haidara 65'), Angelino – Nkunku, Szoboszlai – Silva
Unused subs: Martinez, Moriba, Bonnah, Novoa, Wosz
Out:  Halstenberg (knee), Klostermann (thigh), Laimer (ankle), Olmo (thigh), Poulsen (calf), Saracchi (knee)
Coach: Domenico Tedesco

Bielefeld: Kapino – Brunner (c), Pieper, Nilsson, Andrade – Wimmer (Lasme 71'), Schöpf, Vasiliadis (Kunze 58'), Okugawa – Serra (Klos 58'), Krüger (De Medina 90')
Unused subs: Schulz, Ramos, Czyborra, Fernandes, Cherny
Out: Laursen (muscular), Ortega (not included), Prietl (not included)
Coach: Frank Kramer

Watch: Gulacsi: “It’s not an easy situation for us”