Late goals from super-sub Emil Forsberg and Mohamed Simakan saw RB Leipzig extend their winning run in all competitions to four games by beating Hoffenheim 3-1, handing the visitors a 10th loss in 13 head-to-head encounters.As Leipzig looked to keep pace with the Bundesliga title chasers, visiting goalkeeper Oliver Baumann quickly found himself tested on a number of occasions, keeping Xavi Simons’ strike out before denying Yussuf Poulsen the chance to score for the fourth consecutive game, in an opportunity that the Dane should have taken in the 30th minute.A lion in the Champions League, a kitty in the Bundesliga: Dortmund drop points againJust four minutes later however, the pressure paid off. Coming through Lukas Klostermann, the defender was perfectly-placed to tap home and give his side a deserved lead following a number of ricochets from the initial set-piece. It was a half that should have seen Leipzig out of sight, but as the break approached, Hoffenheim were somehow level through Ozan Kabak. The defender rose highest to nod home Robert Skov’s free-kick to equalise against the run of play and send the Kraichgauer in level at halftime.
The trend of Leipzig dominance continued in the second-half, only for the hosts to be frustrated once more. This time, it was the woodwork that denied them when Simons struck from range before seeing his effort agonisingly crash against the post, much to the relief of the helpless Baumann. Given that Hoffenheim travelled to the Red Bull Arena to face a side who haven’t lost at home in their last five games, a draw would have been a good result for Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side, but Forsberg was in no mood to let them have one. The Swedish midfielder made himself the hero of the hour by firing home Loïs Openda’s pass inside the area, before Simakan took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to add a third just three minutes after Forsberg’s strike to put Leipzig out of sight.
Marco Rose’s men climbed into the top-three as a result, just four points adrift of leaders Bayer Leverkusen, albeit having played a game more. Hoffenheim, meanwhile, are now at risk of losing their top-six place as they remain in the midst of a torrid run of just one win from their last seven matches in all competitions.
BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 15Friday M’gladbach – Werder 2-2 (1-1)/Reitz 45, 49 – Borre 7, Ducksch 78/Saturday Augsburg – Dortmund 1-1 (1-1)/Demirovic 23 – Mallen 35/Bochum – Union Berlin 3-0 (1-0)/Asano 45+5, Paciencia 54, Stoger 78 pen/Darmstadt – Wolfsburg 0-1 (0-0)/Majer 63/Mainz – Heidenheim 0-1 (0-1)/Pieringer 12/RB Leipzig – Hoffenheim 3-1 (1-1)/Klostermann 34, Forsberg 71, Simakan 74 – Kabak 42/Sunday 17.30: (1.85) Freiburg (3.50) Koln (4.40)19.30: (1.40) Leverkusen (5.30) Eintr.Frankfurt (8.00)21.30: (1.48) Bayern (4.60) Stuttgart (6.25)***odds are subject to change