RB Leipzig managed to escape an almighty DFB-Pokal upset as they struck twice in the second-half to defeat a spirited Rot Weiss Essen. Despite Nicolas Seiwald's red card, Christoph Baumgartner had a role in both goals as Martin Demichelis' side ran out 2-1 winners.
Lukas Brumme gave Essen fans a chance to dream inside 10 minutes, capitalizing on a Leipzig error. Castello Lukeba's tame back pass coupled with Orjan Nyland's slip left the striker with the simple job of keeping his nerve and rounding the goalkeeper to score.
With Essen firing into challenges and pressing to disrupt Leipzig's calm approach, another chance fell Brumme's way. Another major twist in this Pokal tie preceded half-time as an already yellow-carded Nicolas Seiwald was sent off for a late challenge on Ruben Reisig.
Having created nothing in the offensive third before the break, Martin Demichelis called upon Neil El Aynaoui and Brajan Gruda. Essen remained brave, but Leipzig's presence was growing. Tidiam Gomis had a pop from close range which required Jakob Golz to parry.
Throwing caution to the wind in desperation, on came Antonio Nusa and Christoph Baumgartner to pile on pressure. The duo combined with 12 minutes remaining, as Nusa escaped the challenges to place his cross in the six-yard box for the Austrian to poke home.
Essen's Pokal aspirations would be crushed less than four minutes later. Baumgartner latched onto the end of David Raum's freekick to complete the comeback. With no response from the hosts in the final act, Leipzig advanced by the skin of their teeth as Essen bowed out.