German FA Cup
RB Leipzig is entering the DFB Cup Final for the third time since 2019. On Wednesday, the Saxons defeated 1. FC Union Berlin 2-1 (0-1) in a tough match at the Red Bull Arena, which sold out to 47,069 spectators. In extra time, Emil Forsberg (92) made the decision with a header.
Sheraldo Becker (25) gave the lead. Leipzig equalized the result with a penalty kick, which was converted by Andres Silva (61). Konrad Laimer played with the Bulls, as did Christopher Tremmel with the Federation. In the final, coach Domenico Tedesco’s side will meet Freiburg on May 21 at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, with Brysgau team winning the semi-final on Tuesday at the Hamburg SV Stadion 3-1.
In the first half, the hosts, who were undefeated in 14 consecutive official matches before the cup match against Al Ittihad, found it difficult to enter the match. The Berliners skillfully defended and also managed to count on the attack. Union captain Tremmel set up 1-0 for the Berliners through Becker with a flat cross behind the Bolin defence. This was RB Leipzig’s first goal in the current DFB Cup competition.
Leipzig goes after a period of rest
After the break, the Saxons intensified their offensive efforts and were tried about an hour later. Al-Ittihad defender Paul Jekyll hits right-back Christopher Nkunko in the penalty area after video review referee Felix Brych decided a penalty. Silva definitely turned this into a tie (61). In extra time, Forsberg led Leipzig to victory.
After Leipzig’s final defeats in 2019 against Bayern Munich (0:3) and in 2021 against Borussia Dortmund (1:4), “fate” must now be brought to Saxony. Freiburg, who are only three points behind third-placed “Bulls” in fifth in the Bundesliga, want to win the club’s first major title.
Laimer and Nkonko will stay in Leipzig
Meanwhile, Leipzig City Managing Director Oliver Mintzlaff made it clear on the sidelines of the cup match that star striker Nkunko would stay with RB right-back after this season. ÖFB player Laimer has recently been linked with other clubs, including record champions Bayern Munich. “There are no inquiries, they will jump on us too,” said ARD’s mints about potential interest in Laimer and Nkunku. “Our goal when we talk about next season is to keep the team together.”
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