RB Leipzig claim Bundesliga top spot with 3-1 win over Freiburg

RB Leipzig climbed to the top of the Bundesliga table following Saturday’s 3-1 win over SC Freiburg at the Red Bull Arena.

Trailing the match after 15 minutes courtesy of Japanese midfielder Ritsu Doan, Leipzig restored parity soon after the restart through Hungarian defender Willi Orban.

The persistent hosts then took the lead in the 58th minute through Dutch defender Lutsharel Geertruida, who got on the end of a breathtaking counter.

As Freiburg desperately chased an equaliser, the visitors became vulnerable at the back, allowing Lois Openda to score Leipzig’s third goal in clinical fashion —his fifth strike of the season.

Bouncing back following their midweek Champions League defeat to Liverpool, victory ensured Leipzig overtook Bayern Munich to sit top of the table with 20 points.

Speaking after the match, Leipzig head coach Marco Rose was pleased by the comeback win.

“My team’s performance today was incredible,” said the German tactician.

“To keep believing in yourself, turn the game around and the defend the result so passionately – it makes me proud as a coach.”

“In order to be successful, we need our structure and we need intensity on the pitch. That worked well in the second half.”

“We’re now unbeaten in 19 Bundesliga games – that speaks for itself.”

Prior to Freiburg’s opener in the encounter, Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi set a new club record by going 509 minutes without conceding — keeping six clean sheets in eight Bundesliga matches.

Leipzig and Bayern remain the only two unbeaten sides in the German top division this season.

Despite claiming top spot with the victory, the Red Bulls’ stay at the summit could be shortlived, as Bayern will be in action on Sunday, with top sports bookmakers paying -714.29 for the Bavarians to defeat bottom-placed VfL Bochum (+1400) at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion.

Meanwhile, Leipzig will be away to Borussia Dortmund next Saturday in the Bundesliga, and top soccer betting sites have listed BVB as +120 favourites to beat the visitors (+210).

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