RB Leipzig stay top with win at Augsburg, Dortmund edge past Hoffenheim

Bundesliga - FC Augsburg v RB Leipzig - WWK Arena, Augsburg, Germany - October 17, 2020 RB Leipzig's Angelino celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates [REUTERS/Andreas Gebert ]

RB Leipzig muscled past Augsburg 2-0 on Saturday to stay top of the Bundesliga after four matches while fellow title contenders Borussia Dortmund needed a second-half goal by substitute Marco Reus to beat hosts Hoffenheim 1-0.

Leipzig, who have now gone a club record nine away games without defeat, struggled throughout the first half but scored on the stroke of halftime when Angelino drilled in a header at the far post from a perfectly-floated Dani Olmo cross.

“Dani Olmo knew that I often go to the far post. We had discussed it during the week,” Angelino said.

“That is how we set up the goal. I am happy it worked.”

An unstoppable left-foot volley from Yussuf Poulsen from yet another Olmo assist -- this time a well-timed lob -- in the 66th gave Leipzig a two-goal cushion.

RB Leipzig's Nordi Mukiele in action Pool via REUTERS/Andreas Gebert]

They then eased off with their Champions League debut against Basaksehir looming on Tuesday. Leipzig moved up to 10 points with Dortmund on nine.

The Ruhr valley club, with Reus and top scorer Erling Haaland starting on the bench, were nowhere near their best and had to wait until late in the first half for their first opportunities.

Bundesliga - TSG 1899 Hoffenheim v Borussia Dortmund - PreZero Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 17, 2020 Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus scores their first goal [REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbac]

Giovanni Reyna’s effort was saved on the line Thomas Meunier’s header bounced off the crossbar.

Reus and Haaland were brought on in the 64th and instantly breathed life into their team’s attack.

They combined perfectly for the Dortmund captain to tap in the winner 14 minutes from time, completing a successful dress rehearsal for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Lazio in Rome.

Hoffenheim's Ishak Belfodil, left, and Dortmund's Mats Hummels challenge for the ball during the German soccer Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund in Sinsheim, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)

Bayer Leverkusen managed their first win of the season thanks to Lucas Alario’s 30th-minute winner against Mainz 04, who have now lost the first four games for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign under then coach Juergen Klopp.

Champions Bayern Munich, on six points, play Arminia Bielefeld later on Saturday.