RB Leipzig escaped a significant DFB-Pokal upset by battling back from a goal down to beat Rot-Weiss Essen 2-1, even while playing a man short. Christoph Baumgartner was the key figure, playing a part in both second-half strikes after Nicolas Seiwald’s sending-off put Leipzig’s progression in jeopardy.
Essen appeared on course for a famous cup shock after grabbing an early advantage, but Leipzig managed to fight their way back into the match in the closing stages. A quickfire brace ultimately crushed the home side’s ambitions of advancing.
Rot-Weiss Essen capitalises on Leipzig’s early blunder
Essen took under 10 minutes to apply pressure on Leipzig, as Lukas Brumme took advantage of a defensive mistake to put the hosts ahead. Castello Lukeba’s feeble back pass and Orjan Nyland’s stumble handed the forward a chance he simply could not pass up. Brumme went around the goalkeeper before composedly slotting home to spark dreams of a memorable DFB-Pokal triumph.
The home team kept making things difficult for Leipzig, pressing with intensity and committing to duels in order to break their opponents’ flow. Brumme also had another opening as Essen sought to double their lead.
Leipzig’s troubles grew worse before the interval when Seiwald, who was already carrying a yellow card, was shown red for a mistimed challenge on Ruben Reisig. The sending-off left Leipzig with a mountain to climb, as their attacking play had yielded little before the break.
Leipzig fights back following Seiwald’s red card
Martin Demichelis made adjustments at half-time, bringing on Neil El Aynaoui and Brajan Gruda to try to boost Leipzig’s attacking potency. Essen kept showing bravery, but the away side steadily started to seize control of the game despite being a man down.
Tidiam Gomis nearly provided the breakthrough, forcing Jakob Golz into a save from close distance. Leipzig were starting to carve out more encouraging chances, though they still required a telling moment to convert their mounting pressure into a goal.
Demichelis then sent on Antonio Nusa and Baumgartner as Leipzig pushed urgently for a leveller. The substitutions proved pivotal, with the two combining to draw the visitors level with only 12 minutes left on the clock.
Baumgartner drives Leipzig’s DFB-Pokal fightback
Nusa navigated past the challenges ahead of him before whipping a cross into the six-yard area. Baumgartner was quick to react and prodded the ball over the line, pulling Leipzig level and restoring their confidence that a comeback was possible.
Essen had scant time to respond to the setback. Under four minutes after the equaliser, Leipzig scored again when Baumgartner connected with David Raum’s free kick to net the goal that sent the visitors in front.
The late double turned a tough evening into a positive cup result for Leipzig. Essen were unable to muster a reply in the closing minutes, and Leipzig clung on to claim a 2-1 win despite Seiwald’s red card.
Baumgartner’s crucial impact ensured Leipzig sidestepped an embarrassing exit, while Essen were left to ponder a valiant display that ultimately came up just short.