RB Leipzig 2-3 Bayer Leverkusen: Late Hincapie strike completes dramatic comeback victory for visitors
Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen came from behind twice and scored a second-half stoppage time winner through Piero Hincapie to win 3-2 at RB Leipzig on Saturday, remaining unbeaten in the league this season.
It was Xabi Alonso's team's second consecutive win with a last-gasp goal, following their stoppage-time victory over Augsburg the week before.
Leverkusen, who have gone unbeaten in 27 consecutive matches across all competitions this season, now have 48 points from 18 games, while second-placed Bayern Munich, who face Werder Bremen on Sunday, have 41 from 16 games.
Leipzig, who have now gone three league games without a win for the first time under coach Marco Rose, are fourth with 33 points, tied with fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund, who defeated Cologne 4-0.
"I don't know what this win means for the future but for now it is good to have a positive atmosphere in the team and sit in a good position in the table," Alonso told a press conference.
"We had too many problems in the first half. We improved in the second but it was an intense game. In the end it was the small details from set pieces that made the difference. I am very satisfied."
"It is three more points, we are in a good position but it is still only the first match of the second half of the season for us."
Leipzig completely outran the visitors in the first half and had missed two golden opportunities by the time they took the lead in the seventh minute with Xavi Simons' superb goal after twice controlling the ball in the air and then turning on the spot to beat keeper Lukas Hradecky.
Leverkusen, who now have more league wins than the previous season, were absent in the first half and had Jeremie Frimpong replaced after 30 minutes due to an injury.
But they came out firing after the break, equalising in the 47th minute through Nathan Tella, who was left completely unmarked at the far post and tapped in an Alejandro Grimaldo cutback.
They came close with Florian Wirtz later, but Leipzig reclaimed the lead against the run of play with a textbook break, a perfect Dani Olmo through ball, and a one-touch finish from their top scorer Lois Openda in the 56th minute.
That, however, lasted only seven minutes, as the visitors leveled again with Jonathan Tah rising high at the far post to head in a curling Jonas Hofmann corner.
The visitors' incredible comeback was completed in stoppage time when Hincapie shook off his marker and slid in at the far post to connect with Grimaldo's corner.
SportsLigue