|
BERLIN, Aug. 18-- RB Leipzig made a perfect start to the new Bundesliga season after easing past newly-promoted Union Berlin 4-0 on Sunday. Relentless Leipzig showed Berlin no mercy, with Marcel Halstenberg, Marcel Sabizter, Timo Werner and Christopher Nkunku getting the goals. Despite the result, Berlin started the match brightly, with Robert Andrich missing the target from a promising position before testing Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi moments later. Leipzig clinically punished Berlin's wastefulness as Sabizter assisted Halstenberg, who had time and space inside the box to curl an opener into the corner with 16 minutes played. The visitors thought they had doubled their lead in the 23rd minute, but the video referee disallowed Lukas Klostermann's goal due to a handball by Yussuf Poulsen. Leipzig gained momentum and eventually doubled their advantage at the half-hour mark when Halstenberg intercepted a ball from Berlin keeper Rafal Gikiewicz to set up Sabizter who made it 2-0. Julian Nagelsmann's men continued on the front foot and extended their lead before the break after Sabitzer exchanged a one-two with Werner, whose unstoppable effort made it 3-0 with three minutes remaining in the first half. After the restart, Leipzig started where they left off and controlled proceedings, but Werner and Sabitzer were unable to overcome Gikiewicz for a second time. Berlin gained a foothold into the game as the match progressed but lacked the accuracy to beat Gulacsi. Meanwhile, Leipzig put the result beyond doubt in the 69th minute as substitute Nkunku poked home at the far post to round off the Red Bulls' perfect start to the campaign. | 
