Bundesliga: Emil Forsberg with farewell party: RB Leipzig defeats TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

Playmaker Emil Forsberg gave RB Leipzig an early Christmas present at his farewell party. Led by the Swedes, the German Cup winners won 3-1 (1-1) over direct Champions League rivals TSG Hoffenheim. With 32 points, the Saxons jumped to third place in the top flight, nine points behind the Kraichgauers.

Leipzig national player Lukas Klostermann (34), Forsberg himself (70) and Mohamed Simakan (74) scored, while Ozan Kabak succeeded for Hoffenheim after an error by right-back goalkeeper Janis Blasovic (42).

For Forsberg, who will move to Red Bull New York after nine years, the final home game was extra special in the right-back’s uniform. He first came on as a substitute in the 66th minute, then four minutes later scored the important goal, 2-1. After the end of the year at Werder Bremen on Tuesday, the Swede will leave the club for the Big Apple.

“I can’t believe it, you dream of something like this, to score a goal in your last home game,” Forsberg said on Sky. “But everything has an end. It’s an incredible feeling. I love this city and its fans.”

Coach Marco Rose had previously announced: “We will see when and how, but he will be on the field.” However, at first, Forsberg sat on the bench, seeing how Leipzig were pressuring them. As Hoffenheim’s five-man series held up well despite the opposition’s dominance, the right-back only had a few chances at the start before Xavi Simons (17) tested TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann more seriously for the first time.

Without injured striker Wout Weghorst and Maximilian Pierre, who initially missed injury, TSG had to hope to mount a counter-attack. Andrej Kramaric (24th) shot into the side netting after one goal. But Leipzig remained the dominant team. Yusuf Poulsen (30th) was supposed to go one-on-one with the powerful Bowman, which Klostermann scored four minutes later with a shot from wide.

As the right-back side did not immediately convert their advantage into the second goal – after a brilliant individual shot from Xavi, Baumann (36th) made a much-needed save – Hoffenheim got back into the game with a bit of luck. Following Robert Skov’s free-kick cross, the onrushing Blasojic flew past the ball, which Kabak used his entire body to send home to equalise.

Immediately after the break, Leipzig continued to provide a more powerful performance, as Xavi shone as usual with his dribbling. When he easily got rid of his guards five minutes after the start of the second half, the Dutchman shot the ball directly at the post. Rose now pushed for the winner in part by replacing Forsberg. The 32-year-old scored a stunning goal after a brilliant pass from Luis Obinda. Even before Simakan’s goal, Forsberg hit the crossbar.