Agencies
Saturday: Leipzig stuns Dortmund
In a duel between one of Germany’s most popular sides and arguably its most hated, Naby Keita struck late as Leipzig stunned Borussia Dortmund 1-0 to win its first Bundesliga game on Saturday.
Midfielder Oliver Burke set up fellow substitute Keita to grab the winner with one minute remaining, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.
Leipzig, unpopular among rival supporters who see it as a marketing tool for energy-drink manufacturer Red Bull, matched last season’s runner-up for intensity, and suggested it is in the Bundesliga to stay. That’s the club’s stated objective for its first season of top-flight football, consolidation before Champions League qualification becomes the target.
While Leipzig has enthusiastically embraced the concept – the city is the first in former East Germany to have a top-flight club since Energie Cottbus was relegated in 2009 – opponents resent its commercial side and rapid progress. The club was founded in 2009 when Red Bull rebranded fifth-tier side SSV Markranstaedt and financed its speedy promotion as a new entity through the lower leagues.
Dortmund is renowned for excelling beyond its means and caring for its fans, but some fans refused to travel to Leipzig for the game, which was nevertheless sold out. Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick said the club could have sold twice as many tickets.
Mario Goetze looked lively in his second debut for Dortmund after returning from Bayern Munich, but Leipzig mostly frustrated Dortmund’s speedy forwards and threatened before the break through Marcel Sabitzer and captain Dominik Kaiser, who first played for the side in the fourth tier.
Leipzig’s Andre Schuerrle struck the crossbar, and Keita ultimately claimed the winner on his Bundesliga debut.
“We know where we come from. We’ve a lot to learn but we’re on the right path,” Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhuettl said.
* Associated Press
Friday: Schalke 0-2 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich salvaged a late 2-0 win at Schalke in the Bundesliga on Friday, maintaining new coach Carlo Ancelotti’s winning start when it seemed the side was about to drop points.
Minutes after missing an open net from two metres, Robert Lewandowski finally scored in the 81st minute, shooting to the top left corner after being set up by a fine pass from Javi Martinez.
The Poland striker set up substitute Joshua Kimmich to seal the result in injury time, with Ancelotti’s other substitutes — Arturo Vidal and Douglas Costa — both involved in the build-up.
“We knew we had to be patient,” said Lewandowski, who took his goal-tally to four from two games. “That was a very important win.”
Schalke, which was hoping to bounce back from its opening-weekend defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt, had taken the game to the defending champion, snapping at the visitors’ heels, winning challenges and forcing mistakes.
“It’s bitter for us,” said Schalke coach Markus Weinzierl, who added that he was nevertheless encouraged by his side’s performance.
* Associated Press
Friday’s result
• Schalke 0-2 Bayern Munich
Saturday’s results
• Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Hamburg
• Ingolstadt 0-2 Hertha Berlin
• Freiburg 3-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
• Darmstadt 1-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
• Wolfsburg 0-0 Cologne
• Leipzig 1-0 Borussia Dortmund
Sunday’s results
• Werder Bremen 1-2 FC Augsburg
Mainz 4-4 TSG Hoffenheim
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