Openda and Simons are important in Leipzig’s victory over Dortmund, Bayern beats Frankfurt

NOS Football•today, 5:31 PM

RB Leipzig won the direct match for fourth place in the Bundesliga 4-1 against Borussia Dortmund. Xavi Simons (assist) and Loïs Openda (goal and assist) played an important role for Leipzig.

FC Bayern Munich won 2-1 at home against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Fourth place in Germany means a direct ticket to the group stage of the Champions League. This year, however, Dortmund would do well if it finished fifth.

In the new Champions League system, which will come into effect next season, the two countries that performed best in Europe the previous season will receive an extra ticket.

Germany is currently second on this season’s coefficient list and with three German clubs still active in Europe, it seems to be difficult for England to catch up with Germany. Only Aston Villa still plays football in Europe on behalf of England.

It was Jadon Sancho who gave Dortmund – where the injured Donyell Malen was missing – the lead with a beautiful long-range shot. The Englishman shot the ball over Leipzig goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi, giving BVB the lead.

Three minutes later the score was level again. Simons passed the ball to Openda, who then scored. The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but VAR intervened.

Just before half time, the home crowd cheered again. A shot by Xaver Schlager was saved by Gregor Kobel, but Benjamin Sesko scored on the rebound.

Less than a minute after the break, the next one was already in, after a lightning-fast breakout from Leipzig. Simons did important preparatory work. Openda provided the assist to right back Mohamed Simakan, who ran centrally for the occasion and cleared the ball. In the final phase, Christoph Baumgartner made it 4-1.

Bayern’s first goal was on the board after just eight minutes. Fumbling on the halfway line led to a loss of ball for Frankfurt. Konrad Laimer took advantage, ran towards the goal and Harry Kane only had to tap the ball in; a piece of cake for the striker who has already scored 33 times this season.

A bad kick from Manuel Neuer led to the equalizer. Frankfurt took over the ball and when Hugo Ekitike was not well defended, he shot from outside the box.

De Ligt was hit hard in the first half. He was able to continue his match, but at halftime he was replaced by Kim Min-jae.

In the sixtieth minute Robin Koch made a big mistake. The Frankfurt defender elbowed Thomas Müller inside the box, before the cross had even been given. Referee Schlager did not see it, but the VAR did. Koch received a yellow card, Bayern a penalty, which was converted by Kane.

Fifteen minutes before the end, Donny van de Beek came into the team for Frankfurt, but he could not prevent the team losing 2-1

Leader and champion Bayer Leverkusen will be in action against VfB Stuttgart at 6:30 PM.