RB Leipzig moved closer to a Champions League return after thumping Union Berlin 3-1 at home on Friday and handing coach Marie-Louise Eta her second straight Bundesliga defeat.
Max Finkgraefe, Romulo and Ridle Baku got on the scoresheet to lift third-placed Leipzig eight points clear of fifth-placed Hoffenheim, who have a game in hand.
Danilho Doekhi bagged a late consolation for Union, who are not yet safe from the threat of relegation.
Leipzig missed out on Europe this season for the first time since their 2016-17 top-flight debut, but a seventh win in their past eight matches kept them on track for the Champions League next term.
Union have lost six of their last eight, including both games since Eta took over. Union’s cushion over the relegation play-off spot could shrink to just three points if St Pauli beat bottom club Heidenheim on Saturday.
Leipzig controlled the game from the start and Finkgraefe blasted in from a poor Leopold Querfeld clearance after 22 minutes.
The hosts added another three minutes later when Romulo pounced on a sloppy Querfeld back-pass to double Leipzig’s lead.
Yan Diomande laid on a pass for Baku to make it 3-0 just past the hour and Leipzig could’ve added to their tally, with both Antonio Nusa and Christoph Baumgartner dragging shots just wide of the post.
Union pulled a goal back late when Doekhi headed in from a corner but offered little more as the club risk being dragged back into a relegation scrap for the third straight season.
dwi/mw
