bundesliga

Honours even between RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt

09.02.2019

Fourth-placed RB Leipzig maintained their five-point gap over UEFA Champions League hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt with a goalless draw on Matchday 21.

RB Leipzig 0-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

Two of the league’s most attacking sides started in surprisingly passive mood at the Red Bull Arena. It was a good quarter of an hour before Peter Gulcasi was tested in the Leipzig goal when one-on-one with Luka Jovic, but the Serbian was offside in any case. The Hungarian goalkeeper was again called into action, this time for real, when he prevented Filip Kostic’s free-kick heading into the top corner. Marcel Sabitzer came closest for the hosts with a driven effort from some 25 yards, but Kevin Trapp was able to watch it sail wide before January signing Martin Hinteregger prevented Yussuf Poulsen from getting a shot away late in a hard-fought half.

In stark contrast to the opening 45 minutes, Leipzig raced out of the blocks for the second half. Timo Werner put into the side-netting before left-back Marcel Halstenberg headed over a cross from right-back Lukas Klostermann as Ralf Rangnick’s side peppered the Frankfurt goal. The onslaught continued as Eintracht captain Gelson Fernandes was forced to deny his opposite number Willi Orban’s header with one of his own off the line, and Werner then flicked another narrowly wide. Frankfurt hearts were in mouths when Sabitzer had an effort rebound off the post and onto the arm of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, but the ball somehow spun wide as Leipzig failed to find way past the Eintracht rearguard. However, the draw keeps them five points above the Eagles in the race for Champions League.

Timo Werner came close on a number of occasions for RB Leipzig, but it remained goalless against Eintracht Frankfurt. - Boris Streubel/Bongarts/Getty Images

Match stats

Leipzig's concession of 18 goals is a club record after 21 matches and the best tally in the Bundesliga this season.
Werner had five efforts on goal before he was taken off in the 85th minute, which was as many as the entire Eintracht team combined.
Frankfurt are yet to win a game this season against any of the current top six.
Eintracht are without a win on the road since Matchday 12 at Augsburg (four games).
This was just the fourth time Frankfurt have failed to score in all competitions this season.

Werner was denied by fellow Germany international Kevin Trapp. - Boris Streubel/Bongarts/Getty Images

Line-ups

Leipzig: Gulacsi – Klostermann, Ilsanker, Orban (c), Halstenberg – Sabitzer, Mukiele, Demme, Laimer (Forsberg 67’) – Werner (Cunha 85’), Poulsen
Unused subs: Mvogo, Bruma, Augustin, Saracchi, Adams
Out: Haidara (knee), Konate (suspended), Smith Rowe (groin), Upamecano (knee)
Coach: Ralf Rangnick

Frankfurt: Trapp – Hinteregger, Hasebe, N’Dicka – Da Costa, Rode (Gacinovic 59’), Fernandes (c), Kostic – Rebic (Willems 77’) – Haller, Jovic
Unused subs: Rönnow, Falette, De Guzman, Russ, Paciencia
Out: Abraham (calf), Chandler (knee), Stendera (illness), Torro (pelvis)
Coach: Adi Hütter