Essen Fans Block Leipzig Away Entrance With Concrete In Overnight Protest

RB Leipzig supporters received an extraordinary welcome ahead of Tuesday's DFB-Pokal clash against Rot-Weiss Essen after unknown individuals sealed the entrance to the away section with concrete overnight.

The incident took place at the Stadion an der Hafenstraße, where the third-division side were preparing to host Leipzig in the second round of the competition.

Those responsible also left a provocative message directed at the Bundesliga club: "Bulls must stay outside today!"

The stunt reflects the hostility Leipzig continues to face from sections of German football's traditional supporter culture, although the identity of those responsible has not been established.

Concrete Barrier Discovered At Away Entrance

According to reports from Sky Germany and WDR, the perpetrators constructed a wooden frame between two entrance gates before filling it with concrete, effectively preventing the gates from opening.

The obstruction was discovered on Tuesday morning, just hours before the scheduled 18:00 kick-off.

The message left above the blocked entrance was a clear reference to RB Leipzig's association with Red Bull and the longstanding criticism surrounding the club's ownership and commercial structure.

However, the attempted blockade did not last long.

Employees of Rot-Weiss Essen and the stadium operator worked to remove the concrete, restoring access within approximately two hours.

Essen spokesperson Henrik Lerch described the incident as a short-lived nuisance, confirming that the entrance was usable again and that the match would proceed without disruption.

Leipzig Supporters Were Not Kept Out

Approximately 550 RB Leipzig supporters were expected to travel to Essen for the cup encounter.

Despite the apparent intention to prevent visiting fans from entering, the barrier was removed well before kick-off, allowing supporters to access the stadium as planned.

The incident also produced an unusual irony.

With Die Roten Bullen not taking up their full away allocation, Essen had made part of the visitors' standing section available to home supporters.

That meant the concrete barrier could potentially have prevented Essen fans themselves from entering the stadium.

Local reports indicate that a criminal complaint for property damage has been filed, while the cleanup is expected to cost the hosts several thousand euros.

Another Hostile Reception Awaits Leipzig

Leipzig's relationship with opposition supporters has been contentious since the club's rise through the German football pyramid.

Their Red Bull-backed structure has attracted criticism from supporters who believe it conflicts with Germany's traditional member-controlled football culture.

Tuesday's incident, however, went beyond the banners and chants that typically accompany Die Roten Bullen's away fixtures.

On the pitch, Martín Demichelis' side face a different challenge against an Essen team that have remained unbeaten at home this season.

Leipzig arrive following Saturday's 4-0 Bundesliga victory over Elversberg, but will be without Christopher Nkunku and Maxime Estève because of injury concerns.

Essen's supporters wanted to send a message that Leipzig were not welcome at their stadium, but their protest ultimately caused more problems for their own club.

With the concrete removed and the away entrance reopened, Leipzig can now turn their attention to what matters most: securing a place in the next round of the DFB-Pokal. Demichelis' side will be determined to silence the hostile home crowd with their performance on the pitch and remind Essen why Leipzig have lifted the trophy twice in recent years.

From here the stage only gets bigger.