bundesliga

Emil Forsberg signs off with Leipzig draw in Bremen

19.12.2023

Emil Forsberg led RB Leipzig out in his final game before departing for New York Red Bulls, the Saxony side drawing 1-1 with Werder Bremen after Loïs Openda's opener was cancelled out by Justin Njinmah.

Bremen 1-1 Leipzig
Goals: 0-1 Openda 47' (assist: Forsberg), 1-1 Njinmah 75' (assist: Stage)

Leipzig were inches away from taking the lead early on when David Raum's free-kick was headed back out to Castello Lukeba, but the Frenchman's volley hit the post with Michael Zetterer rooted to the spot. Anthony Jung had been responsible for that half-clearance and his dithering after another hopeful ball into the area midway through the half played Xavi Simons in for a chance that he failed to convert. Xavi had another go, following a smart one-two with Yussuf Poulsen on the edge of the box, but he fired straight into Zetterer's gloves. Bremen had a handful of chances just past the half hour. Rafael Borré span a cross into the Leipzig box which Njinmah failed to connect with before seeing another effort cleared off the line by Castello. Benjamin Henrichs then did brilliantly to deny Marvin Ducksch when the recent Germany cap would have had the goal at his mercy. Jens Stage volleyed high off target at the end of Bremen's best spell. There was still time for Poulsen to see a headed goal ruled out for offside and it was goalless at the break.

Leipzig took the lead seconds after the restart, Forsberg lifting the ball to Openda, who outmuscled Christian Groß before forcing the ball beyond Zetterer at the third attempt. Raum then fired into the outside side-netting as Leipzig looked lively. Borré forced a good save from Janis Blaswich before Ducksch hit the bar as Bremen looked to return fire. Forsberg then made way for Christophe Baumgartner just past the hour with the travelling fans giving him enthusiastic applause. Once the action was back underway, Zetterer flew off his line to thwart Openda, who had got 1v1 with a burst of pace. Opposite number Blaswich was relieved to see a Ducksch free-kick sail over his bar at the other end, but there was no such luck for him when Njinmah got free on the edge of the box soon after, the former Borussia Dortmund youngster curling an unstoppable left-footed finish into the far bottom corner. Haidara draw a late save from Zetterer and it ended 1-1.

Match stats

Forsberg bowed out in his 325th Leipzig game. He leaves with the second-most appearances in club history behind Poulsen (381).
Openda's opener was his team-high 11th goal of the season. The former Lens man also has four assists to his name.
Njinmah now has three goals and two assists this season. His previous four direct goal-involvements had come from the bench.
Leipzig bounce into the winter break on a four-match undefeated streak in the Bundesliga, and five including the UEFA Champions League.
Bremen had lost each of their previous seven meetings with Leipzig. Their last victory was back in May 2019 when Milot Rashica and Claudio Pizarro scored in a 2-1 win at the Weserstadion.
Bremen midfielder Naby Keïta, out with a cold today, previously made 71 appearances with Leipzig, scoring 17 and assisting 15 more.

Watch: Openda: "We'll come back with a strong mentality"

Teams

Bremen: Zetterer - Groß (Lynen 82'), Friedl (c), Jung - Weiser, Stage, Bittencourt (Woltemade 83'), Agu (Deman 83') - Njinmah (Kownacki 87'), Ducksch - Borré (Schmid 62')
Unused subs: Pavlenka, Röcker, Löpping, Sato
Out: Keïta (ill), Opitz (ankle), Pieper (ankle), Rapp (foot), Stark (hip), Veljković (knee)
Coach: Ole Werner

Leipzig: Blaswich - Henrichs, Klostermann, Castello, Raum - Xavi (Carvalho 84'), Haidara, Kampl (Seiwald 76'), Forsberg (c) (Baumgartner 63') - Openda, Poulsen (Šeško 76')
Unused subs: Gulácsi, Lenz, Bitshiabu, Simakan, Werner
Out: Olmo (shoulder), Orban (knee)
Coach: Marco Rose