RB Leipzig and VfR Aalen both opened up their 2.Bundesliga campaigns with a stalemate, in a game which the home side really ought to have taken 3 points from.
Leipzig hosted this league opener itself in front of 21,354 fans and started superbly, creating a host of chances but failing to make one count, and most even failed to hit the target. There was a moment of sadness before kick-off, as Leipzig groundsman Andreas Biste was remembered after his recent passing. The RB team wore black armbands and captain Daniel Frahn paid tribute to the late, and well thought of, Leipzig member, "Andi was not only the best groundsman, but simply a great person! Always in a good mood - cheerful, determined and always had a good saying. He was and remains one of us!"
Captain Frahn was among four of the Leipzig players to waste great chances within the opening exchanges; Yussuf Poulsen, Denis Thomalla and Niklas Hoheneder, along with their captain, failed to put the newly-promoted side ahead. However, Aalen went closer than their hosts when Michael Klauss' header smacked against the upright, after a fantastic counter attack and pass from Dominick Drexler; it left Leipzig thankful that they weren't a goal down going into the break.
Aalen seemed content with a draw and their organised defence seemed set to get it, as very few chances fell their way in the first stages of the second half. As the half dragged on, tiredness kicked in and Leipzig began to force their way through. Hoheneder, Smail Prevljak and Poulsen had chances in the last 20 minutes to sneak a win for the hosts, but Aalen and the impressive Fejzic remained firm and held out for a draw.
Hope for both sides in the coming weeks and months after an opening day draw; Aalen were fantastically compact and looked to cause problems on the counter. While RB Leipzig pressed and attacked well, the return of Terrance Boyd in the next month or two will be a massive boost to their goal-scoring chances.