Leipzig ease to win over Union Berlin to strengthen grip on Champions League spots

[p]The home side started on the front foot, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/nusa-antonio/rHwRvHQp/"]Antonio Nusa[/a] breaking into the area and seeing his low effort saved by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ronnow-frederik/AqV0VUgU/"]Frederik Rønnow[/a].[/p][p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/union-berlin/pzHW4oaE/"]Union[/a] goalkeeper was called into action for a second time moments later when a ball into the area found [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/romulo-cardoso/MqtfWqDL/"]Rômulo Cardoso[/a], whose initial effort was well saved before [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/schafer-andras/8GBj8NFA/"]András Schafer[/a] did very well to backtrack and head the goalbound ball behind.[/p][p]Die Roten Bullen maintained the pressure, and they got their reward midway through the first half. [/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diomande-yan/0p2ORrJi/"]Yan Diomande[/a]’s cross from the byline was pushed away by Rønnow, allowing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/querfeld-leopold/WtK79lGh/"]Leopold Querfeld[/a] to head away, but only as far as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/finkgrafe-max/YFXk0vLF/"]Max Finkgräfe[/a], whose first-time left-footed effort flew into the right side of the net.[/b][/p][image alt="Match stats" id="cbe30666-80fa-417c-8c30-4f825d08113a" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="6716a3f1-438b-453b-8663-b3c04dfdca48" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][b]Things went from bad to worse for the visitors just three minutes later, when a ball over the top released Cardoso, who capitalised by breaking free and knocking the ball past Rønnow, leaving him the simple task of rolling it into an empty net. [/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/orban-willi/WQdSnUfq/"]Will Orban[/a]’s header came off the crossbar shortly after, shortly before [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/baumgartner-christoph/rqcu4a9O/"]Christoph Baumgartner[/a]’s header was brilliantly saved, limiting the deficit to two at half time.[/p][p]Although Union are unlikely to be involved in a relegation battle, their supporters would like to see them secure their safety sooner rather than later.[/p][p][b]However, their cause looked unlikely to be helped in this contest as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/rb-leipzig/KbS1suSm/"]Leipzig[/a] extended their lead just after the hour mark when a clever pass inside the area found [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/baku-bote/AVMjVAqt/"]Ridle Baku[/a], who wriggled free before sending his effort past the outstretched right leg of Rønnow.[/b][/p][image alt="Baku (R) celebrates his goal" id="0897d989-5de5-48cb-b1bb-2dd7cae233aa" credit-line="Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia" guid="e997dc6c-774f-47dc-bcf4-623d40929410" original-width="1400" original-height="918" /][p][b]Union managed to get on the scoresheet with their first shot on target in the 78th minute when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/doekhi-danilho/W0aQEQqI/"]Danilho Doekhi[/a]’s header from a corner beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vandevoordt-maarten/AFY9ARa5/"]Maarten Vandevoordt[/a] for power, but it proved to be in vain as the hosts reasserted their control, seeing out a commanding win, after surviving a late consolation from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ansah-ilyas/AZoyGpY6/"]Ilyas Ansah[/a] that was disallowed for offside.[/b][/p][p]The result means Leipzig now lead nearest top-four challengers [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/hoffenheim/hQAtP9Sl/"]TSG Hoffenheim[/a] by eight points with just 12 left to play for, placing them on the brink of securing a seventh top-four finish in the last eight seasons.[/p][p]Union, meanwhile, remain 11th and six points clear of the relegation play-off place with a potentially nervy end to the season in store.[/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diomande-yan/0p2ORrJi/"]Yan Diomande[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/rb-leipzig/KbS1suSm/"]RB Leipzig[/a])[/b][/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/rb-leipzig-KbS1suSm/union-berlin-pzHW4oaE/?mid=MaSP0Wuh"]Check out all the stats from the match here[/a][/b][/p]