In another match that defied the form book, Julian Nagelsmann's Hoffenheim were beaten on their home turf by RB Leipzig, who turned out a performance showing that they could finally have turned the corner. With other results going their way, Ralf Rangnick's side are just three points adrift of top spot.

The teams

There were changes aplenty from both coaches. Hoffe's Julian Nagelsmann made six changes to the side that had started in Hannover, but two of these were injury precautions. Gregor Kobel, Joshua Brenet, Reiss Nelson and Joelinton were all on the bench, while Ermin Bičakčić and Kevin Vogt were rested; in their place came Oliver Baumann, Stefan Posch, Nico Schulz, Andrej Kramarić, Ishak Belfodil and debutant Nico-Jan Hoogma.

For Leipzig, the coach made four switches. Out were Nordi Mukiele, Willy Orban, Marcel Halstenberg and Emil Forsberg, and in their place came Konrad Laimer, Ibrahima Konaté, Marcelo Saracchi and and Stefan Ilsanker.

Entertaining, but no first-half goals

Both sides would take a positive approach, making for an open and watchable contest. The first opportunity would fall to the home side, when a 19th minute Florian Grillitsch header hit the crossbar being being cleared off the line.

Next it was Leipzig's turn to hit the woodwork. Twice. Slovenian Kevin Kampl rattled the crossbar via the fingertips of Hoffe 'keeper Baumann (41.), and two minutes later Sabitzer's cross was turned against the post by Timo Werner. It could very easily have been 2:1 to the Roten Bullen, were it not for a few centimetres here and there.

Poulsen on the double

After the break, things picked up where they had been left off in the first half. This time, Leipzig would break the deadlock.

After the referee had waved play on after a challenge by Werner on Posch, the German international found Youssef Poulsen, who found the back of the net with a nice right-footed effort. The goal forced the home team into chasing the game, opening the pitch even further.

Youssef Poulsen celebrated with his team mates as his two goals secure three valuable points for RB Leipzig

The chances started to come. In the space of a minute, Hoffenheim striker Ádám Szalai was denied by his Hungarian international colleague Péter Gulácsi in the Leipzig goal, before Poulsen hit the post as Rangnick's side quickly shifted to the other end of the pitch.

Danish international Poulsen was the star of the show, and he bagged his second goal after 73 minutes. It was nor the prettiest finish, but he did enough to get his leg to Kampl's cross.

Nagelsmann's team had to throw everything forward, and were rewarded far too late. In the third minute of added time, Kramarić scored a consolation goal from the penalty spot. There was no time for any more last-moment drama.

After a busy Bundesliga week, both teams can now concentrate on their European adventures. Hoffenheim are really up against it as they take on English champions Manchester City in the Champions League, while Leipzig travel to Norway to take on Rosenborg BK in the Europa League.

Result: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 1 (Kramarić pen. 90+3.) RB Leipzig 2 (Poulsen 53., 73.)