RB Leipzig defeated Hamburger SV 2-1, ending the promoted team's home unbeaten streak. The Saxons stay close to the Bundesliga's top four. In front of 57,000 spectators, Romulo and Yan Diomande secured the win after Fabio Vieira's early lead.
On matchday 24 of the Bundesliga, fifth-placed RB Leipzig faced eleventh-placed Hamburger SV in the sold-out Volksparkstadion. The visitors from Saxony ended a three-game winless run and remained two points behind VfB Stuttgart near the top four.
HSV, unbeaten in seven home games previously—including draws against Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München plus a win over Stuttgart—started strongly. Fabio Vieira scored his fourth goal of the season in the 22nd minute with a low shot through the legs of goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, after initiating the attack himself. Bitter for the hosts: Captain Nicolas Capaldo had to be substituted injured after about 20 minutes.
The match began oddly with a fan protest: Shortly after kickoff, supporters from the north stand threw yellow felt tennis balls onto the pitch, apparently against the late 19:30 start time—a measure to relieve European Cup teams and for marketing reasons. The game was briefly interrupted.
Leipzig grew into the first half. Romulo equalized 1-1 in the 36th minute with a spectacular heel trick, after Ridle Baku headed the ball down. In the second half, Yan Diomande capitalized on a mistake by Vieira and dribbled through in the 50th minute for the 1-2 lead. Romulo, who also assisted the second goal, missed a penalty in the 62nd minute against HSV goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes.
HSV offered little resistance in the second half. Coach Merlin Polzin (35 years) faced Leipzig's youngest Bundesliga coach Ole Werner (37 years). Ex-Leipziger Yussuf Poulsen came on for HSV in the 67th minute but witnessed his former club's victory. HSV missed the chance to extend their lead over the relegation spot and remain four points clear.
