Many people may think that the Leipzig Derby would be a match between RB Leipzig and another club, but this is very much not the case. The Leipzig City derby features two clubs far bigger in history and reputation.
The Leipzig Derby
The Leipzig Derby showcases a fierce rivalry between Chemie Leipzig and LOK Leipzig and such is the attention of this match, when tickets went on sale, they sold out in just 23 minutes!
Many restructures at Chemie, including bankruptcy, have seen Chemie restart life in the 12th tier of football, finally clawing their way back to the 4th level in 2016.
Travel to Leipzig
Our day started by leaving on the 10.01am train from Erfurt on a direct route to Leipzig, arriving at 11.39am. Police advice was to arrive early and the club took the step of opening the stadium 2 hours before kick-off.
We were also informed that there would be no alcohol served before the match too due to the match being classified as a game with an increased risk (Cat. 1) whilst the website stated the club was looking forward to an exciting and peaceful derby!
Train to Leipzig
Match Build Up
Ahead of the match the hosts held a two point lead over their rivals however also knew that they had lost the reverse fixture 3-0 back in October.
With Erfurt and Energie Cottbus losing the day before, a home win would reignite small hopes of catching the top two by reducing the gap to 7pts, knowing that they face these two clubs in their final two matches of the season.
Due to there being no alcohol at the ground we made our way to the City to a restaurant called Thuringer Hof and treated ourselves to a hearty meal. The Salted Pork Knuckle with homemade Sauerkraut, served with Thuringian dumplings was washed down well by a Krostitzer Schwarzbier.
Thuringer Hof
Krostitzer Schwarzbier
Alfred-Kunze Sportpark
Chemie Leipzig play at the Alfred Kunze Sportpark which was accessible via S-Bahn or Tram. We chose the Number 7 Tram from outside Leipzig HBF which was direct to Leipzig Leutzsch stop which is a 5 minute walk from the stadium. The tram itself took approximately 30 minutes.
As we were walking to the Alfred-Kunze Sportpark, the amount of green and white graffiti increased and we could see the floodlights in the distance.
Graffiti close to the ground
Inside the ground there was standing and seating, most of which is not covered however the weather treated us well.
seats inside the stadium
In terms of facilities there were plenty of places to grab food and drink, whilst the queues were not very big.
On one side of the stadium there were life size statues of the BSG Chemie Leipzig team which won the Deutscher Meister in 1964 looking over the pitch, observing the current team. Next to these, the plaque naming those famous players. Of course, the stadium itself is named after the coach of that famous winning team.
Whilst there was no alcohol, there was alcohol-free Beer and this was tolerated far better due to the fourth tier club offering collectable beer cups. These scored 9/10 on our Beer Cup Scorecard!
Curry Bratwurst available
Chemie Leipzig Beer Cups
BSG Chemie Leipzig statues
Plaque commemorating the 1964 team
Chemie Leipzig Crowd
This was matchday 26 of the Regionalliga season and the 109th Leipzig Derby between the two sides. Before the match kicked off, Chemie fans greeted their team well as you would expect as green and white paper showered down around the Ultra’s section.
The capacity has been reduced and therefore was full to the brim as 4,999 fans entered the arena. Whilst Chemie fans were asked to arrive early to allow kick off to be on-time, it was 3.30pm before the LOK Leipzig fans were allowed to enter their pen and they did so in a uniform of blue jeans and black tops.
Chemie Leipzig Fans
Chemie fans line the pitch to watch
Chemie Leipzig v LOK Leipzig
Before the match there was heavy policing in the area. If there was to be any trouble, they were ready. Dozens of police vans lurked on corners, groups of officers were waiting near every station and platform whilst police helicopters surveyed from above.
The match had energy from the first minute with both teams putting in strong tackles, many of which the referee allowed, waving play-on on several occasions. Chemie were the strongest outfit creating several great chances but as we have seen a lot this weekend, a lack of killer instinct, good goalkeeping and often the wrong decision meant that the game would finish goalless.
There are poor nil-nil’s and there are matches which deliver everything but a goal, and this was one of those. The result see’s Chemie boast of their two point advantage on their neighbours whilst LOK continue to hold the title of City Champions as the last team to complete a victory in the derby.
Final Score: Chemie Leipzig 0 LOK Leipzig 0
Attendence: 4,999
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