Uberprufung der Bundesliga: BVB in stunning collapse, Bayern finally lose, Hamburg stun Hoffenheim
Having not won a Bundesliga game since beating Augsburg on 30th September, BVB fans went into this week’s Ruhr derby more with a sense of hope than optimism. With this being the game of the weekend in the eyes of most Bundesliga fans, and with Schalke going into the game in fine fettle, this was promising to be an enthralling encounter. Elsewhere there were tricky awaydays for Bayern, who travelled to Gladbach, and Leverkusen in Frankfurt. Bremen were hoping to build on their first win of the season which came last weekend, while Cologne were looking to emulate their relegation rivals with the visit of Hertha Berlin.
Hannover 1-1 VfB Stuttgart
These two sides had contrasting fortunes last week. VfB Stuttgart heaped more misery on Borussia Dortmund last Friday night when they beat Peter Bosz’s side 2-1 at home, while Hannover were surprisingly beaten 4-0 in Bremen. Things would start well for Stuttgart here when Arsenal loanee Takuma Asano put them ahead on 24 minutes. It stayed that way and looked as if Stuttgart would hang on until Hannover were given a penalty 15 minutes from time. Nikolas Fullkrug stepped up to salvage a point for the home team.
Borussia Dortmund 4-4 Schalke
As mentioned above, Dortmund travelled to Stuttgart last week looking to get back on track but were sent back to Westphalia pointless. Schalke have had a good season so far and that continued last Sunday with a 2-0 win over Hamburg at the Veltins Arena. Ruhr derby got off to a good start for Peter Bosz when Pierre Emerick Aubameyang put his side ahead after 12 minutes. An own goal by Benjamin Stambouli 6 minutes later was quickly followed by goals from Mario Gotze (20 minutes) and Raphael Guerreiro (24 minutes). It looked as if BVB were finally back on track and in some style, going in at half time 4-0 up. After the break, however, came a monumental collapse. It started when Guido Burgstaller pulled one back on 61 minutes and Amin Harit scored another on 65. The turning point came when Aubameyang was sent off for a second yellow card on 72 minutes. Schalke were now revitalised and Daniel Calligiuri made it 4-3 with 4 minutes left to play. BVB struggled to hold onto control of the game and were punished in the 4th minute of stoppage time when Naldo equalised to send Dortmund deeper into the pits of despair and prolong their winless run.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Frankfurt travelled to Hoffenheim last week and came away with a credible 1-1 draw, while Leverkusen also drew at home with Red Bull Leipzig. It would only take one goal to win this one and it came in the 76th minute when Kevin Volland secured the points for Leverkusen.
Augsburg 2-1 Wolfsburg
Augsburg travelled to Bavaria last week and were soundly beaten 3-0 by Bayern. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, fared much better, beating Freiburg 3-1 at home. Things wouldn’t get off to a good start for them here though when Max Arnold was sent off within 11 minutes of the kick-off. That wouldn’t deter Martin Schmidt’s side and they took the lead through Daniel Didavi 5 minutes before the break. It wouldn’t last though and Michael Gregoritsch levelled for the home side on 51 minutes. It looked as if the two side would share the points – that was until Alfred Finnbogason won it for Augsburg 12 minutes from time.
Red Bull Leipzig 2-0 Werder Bremen
Ralph Hassenhutl took his side to Leverkusen last week and came away with a point after a 2-2 draw. Bremen gave themselves a temporary reprieve last Sunday, beating Hannover 4-0 at home. However temporary it certainly was, as Naby Keita put the home side ahead here after 34 minutes. Leipzig would get another goal to put more gloss on the scoreline, it took Bernardo until the 87th minute to score it.
Freiburg 2-1 Mainz
Freiburg were well beaten in Wolfsburg last week, going down 3-1. Mainz were able to pick up a win though, beating bottom side Cologne 1-0. This game started out very tight and it took until the 51st minute for the deadlock to be broke, Nils Peterson giving Freiburg the lead. The game was practically sealed in the 91st minute when Florian Kath made it 2-0 for Freiburg. Emil Berggreen pulled one back for Mainz a minute later but it was too little, too late.
Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 Bayern Munich
Gladbach went to the capital last week and came away with a very good 4-2 win against Hertha. Bayern played out a routine 3-0 at home against Augsburg. Things started well for the home side, in what was always going to be a tough game, when Thorgan Hazard opened the scoring from the penalty spot. Matthias Ginter doubled Gladbach’s lead on the stroke of half-time to put Bayern in real trouble. The away side came out with real purpose after the break and Arturo Vidal was able to pull one back on 74. However, that was the only goal they would score and Gladbach held on to consign Jupp Heynckes to his first loss since returning to the Bayern hot seat.
Hamburg 3-0 Hoffenheim
Hamburg came away from Schalke last week pointless following a 2-0 defeat in Gelsenkirchen, whereas Hoffenheim at least claimed a point from their 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt at home. Hoffenheim got off to a poor start here though when Kevin Akpoguma put through his own net in the 6th minute to put them behind. The game became very tight until Filip Kostic made it 2-0 with 15 minutes to go. Gideon Jung put further gloss on the scoreline for Hamburg when he made it 3-0 in the 88th minute.
Cologne 0-2 Hertha Berlin
Cologne have been in dire straits so far this season which was exemplified in their 1-0 loss in Mainz last week. Hertha were also on the wrong end of a result last week, going down 4-2 at home to Gladbach. This was only ever going one way through and Vedad Ibisevic opened the scoring for Hertha on 17 minutes to make sure everyone stuck to the script. It took him until the 64th minute to score from the penalty spot, which was the eventual winner and ensure that Peter Stoger’s side are still in search of their first league win this season.
Game Week 14 Fixtures
Friday 1st December
Freiburg vs. Hamburg (19.30)
Saturday 2nd December
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Borussia Dortmund (14.30)
Bayern Munich vs. Hannover 96
Hoffenheim vs. Red Bull Leipzig
Mainz vs. Augsburg
Werder Bremen vs. VfB Stuttgart
Schalke vs. Cologne (17.30)
Sunday 3rd December
Hertha Berlin vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (14.30)
Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Moenchengladbach (17.00)
