Union Berlin defeat runners-up Leipzig to rise in Bundesliga table

Oliver Burke and Ilyas Ansah netted goals to secure a 3-1 victory at home for Union Berlin on Friday, preventing RB Leipzig from narrowing the distance to Bundesliga frontrunners Bayern Munich.

Leipzig, sitting in second place, travelled to Berlin with hopes of trailing Bayern by five points, as the leaders face bottom-of-the-table Mainz on Sunday.

However, the away team was dominated by the unfancied Berlin side, now facing pressure from third-placed Borussia Dortmund, who trail by a single point and visit Freiburg on Sunday.

Burke and Ansah struck on either side of Tidiam Gomis's effort for Leipzig during a frantic seven-minute burst in the second half. Tim Skarke then notched another for Union in added time.

This result lifted Union seven points above the drop zone into eighth position, allowing Bayern the opportunity to stretch their advantage at the summit to 11 points with success over Mainz.

"This result should not have occurred for us. It feels very harsh and upsetting. Regrettably, the loss was justified," said Leipzig's sporting director Marcel Schaefer to Sky Germany.

"To compete at the highest level, we must maintain complete concentration in every fixture. We underperformed in certain periods. Union capitalised on our errors without mercy."

The home side began the game with their familiar 15-minute silent demonstration, accompanied by banners mocking Leipzig's absence of historical roots.

Established in 2009 and backed by Austrian energy drink giant Red Bull, Leipzig's setup is seen by certain purist supporters as bypassing German football's regulations that demand member-led governance of teams.

Leipzig and Union represent the sole representatives from the former East Germany in the elite division.

Following their 6-0 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt in the previous outing, Leipzig created few openings, with opportunities limited for both teams before the interval.

Burke opened the scoring in the 57th minute. The Scottish forward received a pass from Jeong Woo-yeong, switched to his left foot, and bent a strike into the far corner.

Leipzig responded swiftly, with young striker Gomis claiming his debut goal for the club merely two minutes after entering the pitch.

The away side's joy proved fleeting, as Union skipper and experienced full-back Christopher Trimmel delivered an exquisite cross for Ansah to nod the hosts ahead once more.