Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen, left, fails to score against Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner during a German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FSV Mainz 05 in Leipzig, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
BERLIN (AP) - Leipzig eased to a 3-1 win over Mainz to start its second Bundesliga campaign under coach Julian Nagelsmann on Sunday.
Up to 8,500 fans were permitted by local authorities to attend the game in Leipzig's stadium, with strict measures against the coronavirus intended to reduce the risk of infection.
The league's opening weekend has seen limited numbers of fans return for the first time since restrictions began in March, all but ending for now the practice of playing in empty stadiums.
However, matches in Cologne and Munich went ahead without the planned return of fans due to a spike of new infections in both cities.
Leipzig's fans didn't have to wait long to celebrate. A penalty from Emil Forsberg got the scoring underway in the 17th minute and Yussuf Poulsen made it 2-0 four minutes later.
Jean-Philippe Mateta gave the visitors brief hope of a comeback with a goal in the 48th, but Amadou Haidara responded three minutes later to ensure a comfortable afternoon for the home side.
Leipzig finished third last season.
Wolfsburg drew with visiting Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 in the late game.
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Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen, center, battles for the ball with Moussa Niakhate, left, and Jeremiah St. Juste from Mainz during a German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FSV Mainz 05 in Leipzig, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
Leipzig's Emil Forsberg celebrates with team mate after scoring with a penalty during a German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FSV Mainz 05 in Leipzig, Germany, Sunday, Sept.20, 2020.( Jan Woitas/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
Leipzig's Emil Forsberg scores with a penalty during a German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FSV Mainz 05 in Leipzig, Germany, Sunday, Sept.20, 2020.( Jan Woitas/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
Wolfsburg's Wout Weghorst, left, and Leverkusen's Julian Baumgartlinger battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen in the Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. (Peter Steffen/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
Wolfsburg's Admir Mehmedi, left, and Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen in the Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. (Peter Steffen/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press