Dani Olmo's brace helps Leipzig punish Hoffenheim in Bundesliga

BERLIN: RB Leipzig took a major step towards securing another top-four finish after a quickfire double from Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo helped them beat Hoffenheim 2-0 to kick off the 31st round of Bundesliga.

Hoffenheim had parted ways with Alfred Schreuder earlier in the week but, having started in seventh, they still harboured hopes of a top-six finish.

Christoph Baumgartner almost rewarded the home side for an aggressive start on Friday, but the Austrian sidefooted just wide after a mazy run into the area. The home side then thought they had a penalty when Munas Dabbur was fouled by Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, but a VAR review ruled there was an infringement in the build-up, as per the official Bundesliga website.

Hoffenheim then watched Leipzig score with their first attack, Olmo swiftly stabbing home after being picked out by Nordi Mukiele in the area in the ninth minute of the game.

Two minutes later the Spaniard added another after taking advantage of a clever header from Marcel Sabitzer to once again fire smartly past Oliver Baumann at his near post.

Hoffenheim were unlucky again when Dabbur headed off the bar on 27 minutes before Gulacsi saved from Baumgartner as Hoffenheim failed to beat him with any of their 12 first-half attempts at goal. Leipzig striker Timo Werner then fired over when one-on-one with Baumann a minute before the break.

Angelino had a goal correctly ruled out for offside at the other end, before Mukiele headed off target for the visitors. Olmo later missed a chance for his hat-trick, and substitute Christopher Nkunku hit the post while the home side continued to let half-chances slip. IANS