RB Leipzig had a chance to solidify their second place spot in the Bundesliga Friday night. FC Union Berlin had other plans.
In a masterclass of efficiency over possession, Union Berlin shocked RB Leipzig 3-1 at home, delivering a hammer blow to the visitors’ title-chasing ambitions. Despite controlling nearly two-thirds of possession and completing 80% of their passes, Leipzig found themselves outclassed by a ruthlessly clinical Union side.
The match remained scoreless through a chippy first half that saw J. Haberer pick up a yellow card in the 37th minute. The deadlock finally broke in the 57th minute when O. Burke fired Union ahead, stunning the possession-dominant visitors.
Leipzig responded immediately, with T. Gomis restoring parity just three minutes after the hour mark following a flurry of substitutions from both sides, including J. Bakayoko’s introduction for the visitors.
But Union’s counter-attacking prowess proved decisive. I. Ansah restored the lead in the 64th minute, capitalizing on Leipzig’s high defensive line. As RB Leipzig desperately pushed for an equalizer, their frustrations mounted—D. Raum and C. Harder both collected yellow cards while managing just three shots on target compared to Union’s six.
The expected goals told the story: Union Berlin’s 1.14 xG nearly doubled Leipzig’s meager 0.59, highlighting their superior shot quality despite inferior possession. Leipzig’s 63.4% possession ultimately proved meaningless against Union’s organized defensive structure, which featured 36 effective clearances and nine interceptions.
T. Skarke delivered the knockout blow in the 90th minute, sealing a comprehensive victory that sends shockwaves through the Bundesliga standings. Union Berlin proved that in football, possession means nothing without penetration—and Leipzig learned that lesson the hard way.
