Marco Rose’s RB Leipzig slip up in Bundesliga title race

“We’re incredibly disappointed” – Christoph Baumgartner played the full 90 minutes as RB Leipzig collapsed against Hoffenheim to fall eight points behind leaders Bayern Munich and come Saturday night, they could slip to third should Eintracht Frankfurt beat Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga Topspiel.

In a year in which they felt as though they could challenge Bayern Munich for the Meisterschale after beating Bayer Leverkusen on matchday two, ending their Xabi Alonso’s 43 domestic game unbeaten run, Leipzig fell short in Sinsheim.

Leipzig took the lead on three occasions through Willi Orban, Antonio Nusa and a Stanley Nsoki own goal but each time, Hoffenheim fought back heroically. Perhaps it was the new manager bounce after they appointed Sturm Graz’ Christian Ilzer, but TSG showed fight, determination, and that they weren’t just going to be a pushover.

Enter Jacob Bruun Larsen. The former Borussia Dortmund player set up Adam Hlozek for Hoffenheim’s equaliser in the 82^nd minute, before netting a winner in the 86^th minute. Defensive errors and a lapse in concentration proved costly for Marco Rose’s Leipzig and come the end of the season, Die Roten Bullen could well find themselves well off the pace.

Defeat in Sinsheim now leaves Leipzig without a win in their last three Bundesliga games, while they have just two wins in their last seven across all competitions. After starting their campaign in emphatic fashion, Leipzig are suddenly looking a little lost and Rose must find a solution quickly otherwise they risk losing sight of Bayern Munich, with Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund chasing down their neck.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder