Hamburg’s emphatic 4–0 win over Mainz before the international break had given them confidence they could finally open their away scoring account this season. They began on the front foot in Leipzig, pressing high and looking to attack early, but a lack of clear chances in the opening ten minutes allowed the hosts to settle and take control.

Leipzig soon began to assert themselves. Antonio Nusa tested Daniel Heuer Fernandes with a firm strike, and moments later the Hamburg goalkeeper produced sharp reflexes to deny Christoph Baumgartner from close range after a dangerous Assan Ouédraogo cross.

The visitors responded with a half-chance of their own as Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer headed narrowly over from a corner, but the contest remained finely balanced.

That changed just before half-time. Nusa’s inswinging cross from the left found Baumgartner perfectly at the far post, and the Austrian’s header put Leipzig ahead — marking the sixth consecutive Bundesliga match in which they’ve opened the scoring.

Hamburg found a quick equaliser after the break when Albert Sambi Lokonga’s effort, helped by a heavy deflection off Nicolas Seiwald, nestled into the far corner. But parity was short-lived. Baumgartner combined beautifully with Romulo Cardoso in a slick one-two before calmly finishing inside the near post to restore Leipzig’s advantage.

To their credit, Hamburg kept pressing. Königsdörffer twice went close, and Jean-Luc Dompé rattled the post with a curling free-kick as the visitors sought another response. Even Leipzig legend Yussuf Poulsen was introduced late on in a bid to rescue a point against his former club, but the home side held firm.

Leipzig’s victory not only extends their unbeaten run but also preserves their remarkable record against newly promoted Bundesliga sides — now 33 wins from 38 encounters without a single defeat.

Hamburg’s away struggles continue, yet head coach Merlin Polzin will take encouragement from his team’s intent and resilience against top opposition.