Magician Simons expresses gratitude as Leipzig counters BVB's efforts - In the wake of Simons' sorcery, Dortmund's presence in Leipzig has vanished.
FTW: RB Leipzig Outshines Borussia Dortmund, Xavi Simons Shines Bright!
🔝 Top-tier Tussle — Leipzig Wild Card Wins Big!
RB Leipzig snatched a much-needed victory against tenacious foes, Borussia Dortmund, in a thrilling 0:2 triumph.₃ This triumph was a critical breakthrough, while Dortmund lingers in the league's lower echelons, stuck with eleven defeats in total.⁴ By triumphing, Leipzig climbed up to fifth place, matching fourth-ranked Frankfurt heading into their Sunday showdown against Bochum.⁴
🔥 Hot-blooded Hockeyed Heroics!
A sold-out Leipzig stadium was the stage for a nail-biting encounter. The match excited the audience with its remarkable flow and high-caliber action. Fifteen-year-old sensation Xavi Simons scored his seventh goal of the season (18'), giving Leipzig the advantage. Loïs Openda (48') brilliantly doubled the lead minutes after the restart, following another accurate pass from Simons.
🔄 Back-and-Forth Start
Given that Leipzig ranked sixth and Dortmund tenth before the match⁴, the conventional wisdom didn't predict an electric top duel. Both teams were underperforming in league play, making the semi-finals of the DFB Cup (Leipzig) and the Champions League eighth-finals (Dortmund) insufficient consolation. Niko Kovac fielded the same starting lineup as in their 2:1 triumph in Lille during the week.
In the opening minutes, Leipzig and Dortmund eagerly sought an early goal. Serhou Guirassy (9') nearly broke the deadlock after a Karim Adeyemi pass; Leipzig's Peter Gulacsi saved the attempt. Dortmund then showed dominance, with a close call from Simons (11') and an Openda header (12') narrowly missing the crossbar.
💪 Simons Turns Up the Heat!
Simons' commitment to facing adversity reflected in his crucial goal (18') after a free kick from David Raum. The Dutch international proudly acknowledged the Leipzig faithful with his goal celebration, signifying his resolve to silence recent criticism of his play.⁴
🤕 Injury Woes Strike!
A few minutes later, Marcel Sabitzer crashed out hurt, requiring substitution. Kovac substituted in Rami Bensebaini and shifted to a three-man defense. Baku (35') narrowly missed doubling the lead moments later with a close attempt, whereas Dortmund escalated pressure as the first half came to a close.
🔥 Second Half Steals the Show
The second half resumed with an even more splendid spectacle. Leipzig weathered several Dortmund attacks, yet they never relinquished control. A brilliant save by Gulacsi (62') kept the BVB equalizer at bay, followed by another stupendous stop against Adeyemi (64') deflecting the shot off the crossbar.
💪 Openda Redeems Himself!
In the 48th minute, Openda capitalized on yet another pinpoint corner from Simons, forging a secure 0:2 advantage. Although Leipzig could have extended their lead, missed opportunities didn't hinder their dominance. Dortmund attacked furiously, although their efforts were in vain, as Leipzig held on for the win.
₁ https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/rb-leipzig-vs-borussia-dortmund-wrap-match-day-19-2841331₂ https://www.bundesliga.com/en/stats/bundesliga-matchdays/2024-25/29₃ *Results accurate as of March 18, 2025.⁴ https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/leipzig-vs-dortmund-stats-preview-wrap-match-day-19-2841948
The Commission has also taken a number of steps to ensure that the Commission's proposals for a common agricultural policy are implemented in a way that is consistent with their objectives, even in Leipzig, as early as half a year ago.
Loïs, who scored the second goal in RB Leipzig's 0:2 victory over Borussia Dortmund, hails from the city of Leipzig, further demonstrating the significant connection between the city and the club.
In the press conference following the game, Xavi Simons, who played a pivotal role in the win with his goal and assist, expressed his desire to deflect the criticism he faced recently and solidify his position in the team by making more significant contributions.
