Bundesliga: Baumgartner’s Double Spurs Leipzig to Victory with Controversial Handball
RB Leipzig ended their small result crisis thanks to a standout performance from Christoph Baumgartner. The Austrian forward scored twice in a 2:1 victory over 1. FC Köln, securing Leipzig’s place in the Champions League spots.
Key Events of the Match
The match took place on a recent Bundesliga matchday. Baumgartner’s goals came in the 29th and 56th minutes, leading his team to a much-needed win.
Controversial Handball Incident
A controversial moment occurred in the 76th minute. Baumgartner handled the ball just before the goal line, preventing a potential equalizer. Initially, referee Frank Willenborg did not award a penalty. However, a video assistant referee review suggested that it could have been a foul. Fortunately for Leipzig, an offside from Köln’s player before the incident made the handball irrelevant.
- Baumgartner’s Goals: 29′ and 56′
- Köln’s Goal: Jan Thielmann (51′)
- Final Score: Leipzig 2 – Köln 1
Match Overview
This victory was significant for Leipzig, ending a mini-crisis following two winless matches. The team climbed to fourth place in the Bundesliga standings, overtaking VfB Stuttgart.
Köln remained in tenth place with a precarious four-point cushion above the relegation zone. Both teams aimed to improve their positions in upcoming matches.
Player Comings and Goings
Leipzig’s coach, Ole Werner, made three roster changes after the previous match against Mainz 05. Notably, Benjamin Henrichs returned from injury, and new signing Brajan Gruda made his debut as a starter.
Köln’s coach, Lukas Kwasniok, also shuffled his starting lineup, giving youth player Said El Mala a chance to shine. El Mala had several opportunities early in the match but failed to find the net.
Looking Ahead
This win set the stage for Leipzig’s upcoming DFB-Pokal quarterfinal against Bayern Munich. The excitement within the team is palpable as they look to build on this victory.
