Berlin (dpa) – Visiting RB Leipzig beat Freiburg 3-0 to go top of the Bundesliga for at least a few hours as they put pressure on champions Bayern Munich ahead of their date with Borussia Dortmund later on Saturday.
Christopher Nkunku scored Leipzig’s opener shortly before the break and in-form Alexander Sorloth and Emil Forsberg in the second half secured the three points to put them one point ahead of Bayern with a sixth straight league win to underline their big ambitions.
“We’ve been plating some really good football recently, and that’s despite having a packed schedule. Everything is working out well,” Leipzig sports director Markus Kroesche said.
Third-placed Wolfsburg saw their unbeaten league run ended after nine games in a 2-1 defeat at Hoffenheim. Wout Weghorst levelled it up after Christoph Baumgartner opener but Andrej Kramaric took the lead for Hoffenheim again.
The defeat also meant keeper Koen Casteels was beaten after not conceding in seven consecutive games.
Freiburg had a very focused first half but a loose pass by goalkeeper Florian Mueller in the 41st minute allowed the unmarked Nkunku to slide it home from close range.
Lepzig only extended their advantage after the hour mark thanks to Sorloth, who then assisted Forsberg for Leipzig’s third and closing goal against Freiburg who remained eighth.
“I’m very pleased with the team’s performance. We knew that it’s always a difficult game here. It’s a tight pitch and Freiburg are always aggressive. However, we were great from the very start,” Leipzig midfielder Kevin Kampl said.
Bayer Leverkusen returned to winning ways after three games without victory thanks to a Patrik Schick goal to beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 1-0.
It was Gladbach’s fourth defeat in five games and third consecutive since coach Marco Rose said he will move to Dortmund at the end of the season.
Gladbach dropped to 10th, while Leverkusen moved up to sixth at least for a few hours.
Hertha Berlin moved three points clear of the danger zone with their first victory in two months, 2-1 against Augsburg. Laszlo Benes gave the visitors a second-minute lead but Krzysztof Piatek levelled it up and Dodi Lukebakio secured victory with an 89th-minute penalty.
Eintracht Frankfurt remained fourth despite being held 1-1 with VfB Stuttgart.
