Uberprufung der Bundesliga: BVB beaten in Ruhr derby, Leverkusen thrash Frankfurt, Cologne not far off relegation

With only four games left in the Bundesliga after this weekend we are close to having some vital issues confirmed. One already has been, with Bayern’s 4-1 over Augsburg last weekend sealing the Bundesliga title for Jupp Heynckes’ men. They were hoping to put on a show for their celebrating fans at the Allianz Arena on Saturday against Dieter Hecking’s Borussia Moenchengladbach. It is still not certain who will be in the Bundesliga next season though, with Cologne and Hamburg fighting to avoid the drop. Cologne travelled to the capital looking to boost their slim survival hopes while Hamburg faced Hoffenheim hoping to do the same thing.

Wolfsburg 0-0 Augsburg

Wolfsburg’s relegation worries were eased last weekend when they were able to pull off a 2-0 victory over drop-zone rivals Freiburg. Augsburg however were Bayern Munich’s final victims on their road to Bundesliga glory, going down 4-1 at home to this season’s Ligameister. Neither side was able to break the deadlock in this game though as both had to settle for a point each from a goalless draw.

Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Bayer Leverkusen were able to claim a massive victory over Red Bull Leipzig last week, beating their top four rivals 4-1 away. Eintracht Frankfurt are also fighting for a Champions League place next season but their 1-1 home draw with Hoffenheim was not the ideal result for them. Julian Brandt would put Heiko Herrlich’s side ahead inside 20 minutes, but Marco Fabian qould equalise for the visitors just 3 minutes later. Niko Kovac’s appointment as Bayern Munich was confirmed this week and it looked like it had affected his players. This became evident with what ensued. It took until the 71st minute for Kevin Volland to reclaim the lead for Leverkusen but he would double his tally just 7 minutes later. On 88 minutes he bagged the match ball by completing his hat-trick and the rout of Frankfurt.

Hertha Berlin 2-1 Cologne

Hertha Berlin’s stuttering season continued last week when they went down 2-1 in Gladbach. Cologne’s slim hopes of survival also took a dent when they could only manage a draw with Mainz. Things would start well for Stefan Ruthenbeck when Leonardo Bittencourt put Cologne ahead on 29 minutes. However, like so many times this season, they would be unable to hold onto the lead and Davie Selke would level the scores on 49 minutes. Just 3 minutes later, Selke would double the lead and his tally to ultimately win the game for Hertha. Cologne’s relegation will be confirmed next weekend if Mainz win on Monday and next Saturday, and Cologne are defeated.

Hoffenheim 2-0 Hamburg

Hoffenheim are still in with a serious chance of playing European football next season and their draw with Eintracht Frankfurt did their chances of accomplishing that no harm. Hamburg have had an awful season but their unexpected 3-2 away win at Schalke will have given them hope that they can avoid the drop this season. There would be no heroics here though from Christian Titz’s men and they fell behind within 18 minutes thanks to a goal from Serge Gnabry. The misery was complete just 9 minutes later when Adam Szalai made it 2-0, scoring what would be the decisive goal.

VfB Stuttgart 1-1 Hannover

Stuttgart were the victims of Borussia Dortmund’s bounce-back last week, being beaten – some say undeservedly – 3-0 at Signal Iduna Park. Hannover were much more fortunate as they claimed three points from the 2-1 win over Werder Bremen last Friday. It would take until the 53rd minute for either side to make a breakthrough and it was the home side who would take the lead through Erik Thommy. Just when it looked like Stuttgart would get back on track, Niclas Fullkrug popped up to claim a point for Andre Breitenreiter and his side in the 3rd minute of stoppage time.

Bayern Munich 5-1 Borussia Moenchengladbach

Bayern’s win in Augsburg last Saturday saw them claim their 28th Bundesliga title. Gladbach were also victorious, with their 2-1 win over Hertha propelling them into contention for a European place. Gladbach would take a shock lead here when Josip Drmic put them ahead on just 9 minutes. It was always going to be a difficult lead to hold though, alas they couldn’t do so. Sandro Wagner equalised for the home side on 37 minutes before putting Bayern ahead on 41 minutes. Thiago Alcantara made it 3-1 on 51 minutes and David Alaba scored Bayern’s 4th on 67 minutes. Robert Lewandowski made sure the title celebrations would be joyous by rounding off the emphatic victory with his 31st league of the season on 83 minutes.

Schalke 2-0 Borussia Dortmund

Schalke were disappointingly beaten 3-2 at home by lowly Hamburg last week, while BVB were able to bury the ghost of their hammering at the hands of Bayern two weeks ago by beating Stuttgart 3-0 at home. A lacklustre Dortmund fell behind on 50 minutes when Yehven Konoplyanka gave Schalke the lead. A comfortable performance by Schalke was capped off on 82 minutes when Naldo scored a thumping free-kick from 30 yards to seal the points for the hosts.

Werder Bremen 1-1 Red Bull Leipzig

Werder Bremen’s defeat at the hands of Hannover last Friday ensured they are still in trouble at the bottom end of the table. Red Bull Leipzig were also dealt a blow thanks to their heavy home defeat at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen on Monday night. Niklas Moisander put Bremen ahead on 28 minutes to boost their survival hopes. However, it wouldn’t last and on-loan Ademola Lookman would equalise on 50 minutes to ensure Leipzig would take a share of the points.

Mainz 2-0 Freiburg

Both of these sides are still unsure of their respective futures next season. Mainz’s 1-1 draw with Cologne and Freiburg’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Wolfsburg will have done nothing to aid their cause for survival. On the stroke of half time Pablo De Blassis put Mainz ahead from the penalty spot. Freiburg tried to come back into it but a bad mistake from Freiburg ‘keeper Alexander Schwolow allowed Robin Quaison to set up De Blassis to just about convert into an empty net on 78 minutes, securing 3 points for Mainz and seeing them swap places with Freiburg in the process.

Game Week 31 Fixtures

Friday 20th April

Borussia Moenchengladbach vs. Wolfsburg (19.45)

Saturday 21st April

Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Hertha Berlin (14.30)

Hamburg vs. Freiburg

Hannover vs. Bayern Munich

Red Bull Leipzig vs. Hoffenheim

VfB Stuttgart vs. Werder Bremen

Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayer Leverkusen (17.30)

Sunday 22nd April

Augsburg vs. Mainz (14.30)

Cologne vs. Schalke (17.00)