Leipzig beat Köln 3-1 to extend unbeaten run against promoted sides
Ouédraogo scores first goal for the club as Die Roten Bullen climb to second in Bundesliga table.
LEIPZIG, Germany – RB Leipzig maintained their perfect record against newly promoted Bundesliga teams with a 3-1 win over FC Köln on Saturday, handing the visitors their first defeat of the season and climbing to second place in the standings.
Leipzig handed 18-year-old midfielder Assan Ouédraogo his first start after an injury-hit debut campaign, and he repaid manager Ole Werner’s faith inside 15 minutes. From a corner, Willi Orbán’s knockdown caused confusion in the box, and although Marvin Schwäbe blocked the initial effort, Ouédraogo reacted quickest to smash in the rebound for his first goal in Leipzig colours.
Köln, who had fought back to draw 3-3 with Werder Bremen last weekend, responded well to the early setback. Midfielder Eric Martel threaded a clever pass through the Leipzig defence, and Jan Thielmann finished clinically with his left foot to level midway through the half.
The game appeared set to be even at the break, but Leipzig struck twice in quick succession to take control. Rômulo Cardoso reacted sharply to convert after Schwäbe could only push away Christoph Baumgartner’s inventive flick. Then in first-half stoppage time, David Raum curled a superb free-kick beyond the Köln goalkeeper to make it 3-1, bringing the Red Bull Arena to its feet.
Köln coach Lukas Kwasniok introduced three substitutes on the hour mark to spark a response, with Ragnar Ache nearly reducing the deficit but failing to finish from close range at the far post. The visitors kept pressing in the final half hour but could not break down Leipzig’s defence again.
The result means Leipzig have now won 32 and drawn five of their 37 Bundesliga meetings with promoted sides, underlining their dominance in such fixtures. Köln drop to fourth place after their unbeaten start came to an end, while Leipzig’s third consecutive victory moves them within touching distance of early leaders Bayern Munich.
Player of the Match: Assan Ouédraogo
The teenager capped his first Bundesliga start for Leipzig with a lively midfield display and an opening goal that set the tone for the home side’s victory.