Attacking the league’s leakiest defence, Leipzig almost scored after just four minutes, as Antonio Nusa struck the post. Christoph Baumgartner, who scored in the reverse fixture, then quickly had the ball in the net, but it was disallowed as David Raum was in an offside position when he supplied the cross.
To their credit, Heidenheim grew into the first half as Péter Gulácsi produced a smart save to deny Arijon Ibrahimović at the back post. Marvin Pieringer then should have scored his third goal in six appearances in stoppage time, but he swung over while in a promising position.
The hosts also gave Leipzig an immediate scare in the second half when Ibrahimović turned and swung just wide inside the opening seconds, but from then on, the visitors gained control.
Another strike was ruled out for offside when Yan Diomande was sent through on goal before finishing past Diant Ramaj, shortly before Heidenheim’s goalkeeper did well to keep out Nusa after an almighty scrap on his line.
However, Leipzig’s pressure eventually paid off, and three goals inside just nine second-half minutes put the game to bed.
The first was a brilliant strike from Ridle Baku, who collected Diomande’s pass before cutting inside and rifling into the top corner.
Nusa then finally got the goal he had threatened when he received from Nicolas Seiwald before twisting and turning through defenders and eventually striking near post.
Leipzig’s captain, Raum, slammed the third home off the underside of the crossbar with Diomande grabbing his second assist.
Heidenheim are now winless in six league matches as a result (D2, L4), with their second-half collapse particularly fatal as they sink to the bottom of the table. Leipzig simply got the better of them in the end, as they have now done in six of the previous eight H2Hs (W6, D2).
Flashscore Man of the Match: Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig)