Uberprufung der Bundesliga: BVB finally win, Bayern march on, thriller in Gelsenkirchen
The sacking of Peter Bosz at the weekend signalled the beginning of another new era for Borussia Dortmund. Peter Stoeger was sacked himself by Cologne only last week having left them bottom of the Bundesliga and winless this season. However he has been tasked with saving Dortmund season, starting this week in Mainz. Elsewhere, Red Bull Leipzig continue their quest to qualify for the Champions League again next season when they travelled to Wolfsburg on Tuesday. On Wednesday Bayern welcomed Cologne to the Allianz Arena and Schalke entertained Augsburg, in what would prove to be the pick of the games.
Wolfsburg 1-1 Red Bull Leipzig
Both these sides were unable to take maximum points at the weekend, instead having to share the spoils with their respective opponents. Wolfsburg drew 0-0 in Hamburg while Leipzig were held to a 2-2 draw at home with Mainz. It didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken here though. When Ibrahima Konate fouled Mario Gomez in the area on 15 minutes, Paul Verhaegh stepped up to convert the penalty and put Wolfsburg ahead. It wouldn’t stay that way though and Marcel Halstenberg drew Ralph Hassenhutl’s boys level early in the second half. Dayot Upamecano was sent off late on but the score remained the same and both sides had to settle for a second successive draw.
Hamburg 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
As mentioned above, Hamburg couldn’t prise the Wolfsburg defence open at the weekend and were forced to settle for a goalless draw. Eintracht Frankfurt were always up against it in going into their home game with Bayern Munich and succumbed to a 1-0 defeat, but their performance won many plaudits. This game would prove to be one of early excitement which began when Kyriakos Papadopoulos put Hamburg into a 9th minute lead. It didn’t last long though and Marius Wolf equalised just 7 minutes later to restore parity for Frankfurt. The goal that turned out to be the winner was scored in the 24th minute by Mijat Gacinovic to get Niko Kovac’s team back on track and continue their quietly impressive season.
Mainz 0-2 Borussia Dortmund
Mainz travelled to Leipzig at the weekend and claimed a late equaliser to snatch a point, while Dortmunds 2-1 home loss to Werder Bremen signalled the end of Peter Bosz’s short stint in charge. Peter Stoeger’s first game got off to a great start here, although it took until the 55th minute for Sokratis Papastathopoulos to give them the lead. The game became tight and BVB’s lack of confidence began to creep. It didn’t matter though as Shinji Kagawa scored in the 89th minute to put the game beyond Mainz and claim his team’s first win since 30th September.
Freiburg 1-0 Borussia Moenchengladbach
Freiburg produced a dramatic comeback on Sunday, fighting back from being 3-0 down in Cologne to eventually win the game 4-3. Gladbach had a much more conservative time and played out a 1-1 draw at home with Schalke. Things wouldn’t be as dramatic for Freiburg in this one, although the outcome would be the same. When Jannik Vestergaard fouled Nils Peterson in the area on 20 minutes it took for the video review system to confirm the penalty. When it did, Peterson stepped up himself to score the spot kick and claim another three points for Freiburg.
Hoffenheim 1 – 0 VfB Stuttgart
Neither of these sides will have enjoyed their weekend games. Hoffenheim were convincingly beaten 2-0 in Hannover, while Stuttgart went down by the same score at the MercedesBenz Arena to Bayer Leverkusen. It would take a late goal to win this game and it would come from Mark Uth in the 81st minute.
Bayer Leverkusen 1 – 0 Werder Bremen
Both of these sides endured pleasurable awaydays at the weekend. Leverkusen were able to comfortably win 2-0 in Stuttgart, while Werder Bremen claimed a stunning 2-1 victory of Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. This game wouldn’t have the action both these teams provided at the weekend though and Lucas Alario scored the only goal in the eleventh minute to win it for the home side.
Bayern Munich 1 – 0 Cologne
Neither of these team’s had anything to shout about in their last games. Bayern played out a narrow 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt while Cologne incredibly gave away a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 at home to Freiburg. Despite the contrasting fortunes of these two teams this season, it would prove that only one goal was needed for Bayern to claim all three points. Robert Lewandowski was the man to get it on the hour mark.
Hertha Berlin 3 – 1 Hannover
Hertha Berlin were able to take a point back to the capital at the weekend following a 1-1 draw in Augsburg. Hannover had much more to shout about, beating Hoffenheim 2-0 at home. Salomon Kalou would open the scoring for Pal Dardai’s side on 18 minutes and the double that lead on the stoke of half time. Hannover threatened a comeback when Ihlas Bebou pulled one back on 65. However the game would be won by Hannover on 83 minutes by Jordan Torunarigha.
Schalke 3 – 2 Augsburg
Both of these sides played out 1-1 draws at the weekend – Schalke with Gladbach, and Augsburg with Hertha Berlin. It would take until the stroke of half time for the deadlock to be broken her, Franco Di Santo putting Schalke ahead. Guido Burgstaller made it 2-0 two minutes into the second half but Caiuby pulled one back for Augsburg on 64 minutes. They won a penalty on 79 minutes which Michael Gregoritsch scored to complete the comeback. However the point would elude them as Schalke would gain a penalty of their own, which would be converted by Daniel Calligiuri with seven minutes to go.
Game Week 17 Fixtures
Friday 15th December
Borussia Moenchengladbach vs. Hamburg (19.30)
Saturday 16th December
Cologne vs. Wolfsburg (14.30)
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Schalke
Augsburg vs. Freiburg
VfB Stuttgart vs. Bayern Munich
Werder Bremen vs. Mainz
Borussia Dortmund vs. Hoffenheim (17.30)
Sunday 17th December
Hannover vs. Bayer Leverkusen (14.30)
Red Bull Leipzig vs. Hertha Berlin (17.30)
