Uberprufung der Bundesliga: End of the road for Bosz, Freiburg win thriller, Bayern extend lead at summit

This week would prove to be a pivotal one for Borussia Dortmund and Peter Bosz. A win against Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday could spark flailing season, while a loss could see the Dutch manager prematurely end his career with the club. Elsewhere, Cologne looked to begin life without Peter Stoger by claiming their first win of the Bundesliga season at home against Freiburg on Sunday. Bayern travelled to Frankfurt on Saturday with the intention of tightening their grip on top spot. On Friday, Leverkusen went to Stuttgart hoping to gatecrash the top four with a win over VfB.

VfB Stuttgart 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen

Stuttgart travelled to relegation-threatened Bremen last week and left with their tales between their legs, having been beaten 2-0 by Florian Kohfeldt’s boys. Leverkusen were a tad more productive, drawing 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena. It would be the away side who would get off to a good start here too, Kai Havertz giving them the lead within 20 minutes. Leverkusen never really seemed troubled following that and Lars Bender sealed the victory on 80 minutes for Heiko Herrlich, pushing them into the top four in the process.

Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Werder Bremen

With Peter Bosz under pressure, Dortmund were in need of a win here having drawn in Leverkusen last week. Bremen are starting to show signs of recovery, having won two of their last three games and picking up three points against Stuttgart last week. It was they who took the lead here when Maxi Eggestein made it 1-0 on 26 minutes. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang equalised on 57 minutes but Dortmund weren’t level for long, and Theodor Gebre Selassie scored the eventual winner eight minutes later. It would prove to be even more costly for Peter Bosz, who was sacked the next day and replaced with Peter Stoger.

Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 Bayern Munich

Frankfurt played out a hard-fought 2-1 win in Berlin last week to continue their impressive season. Bayern’s resurgence under Jupp Heynckes went on with a 3-1 home win over Hannover. It would only take one goal for the Bavarians here and it was scored by Arturo Vidal in the 20th minute, a goal which keeps them atop the Bundesliga.

Hamburg 0-0 Wolfsburg

Hamburg were unable to find a way through Freiburg last weekend, only managing to come away with a goalless draw for their efforts. Wolfsburg were much more successful in their endeavours, however, beating Gladbach 3-0 at home. Neither side were able to break the deadlock here though and the game ended in a stalemate, Hamburg’s second in a row.

Red Bull Leipzig 2-2 Mainz

Both these teams were on the end of heavy defeats last weekend. Leipzig were beaten surprisingly comfortably 4-0 by Hoffenheim, while Mainz were defeated 3-1 at home by Augsburg. Kevin Kampl broke the deadlock for Leipzig within 29 minutes. However, Mainz equalised 10 minutes later by Robin Quaison. However, Timo Werner put Leipzig back in front on the stroke of half-time sending Ralph Hassenhutl’s side in ahead at the break. It looked as if Leipzig would hold out until Emil Berggreen levelled again for Mainz 4 minutes from time.

Borussia Moenchengladbach 1-1 Schalke

Both these teams underperformed last weekend. Schalke drew 2-2 at home with rock-bottom Cologne, while Gladbach went down 3-0 in Wolfsburg. Things would start well for the home side when Christoph Kramer put them 1-0 up in the 24th minute. A tight game was then levelled on 62 minutes when Jannik Vestergaard put through his own net. It was a goal which ultimately gave Domenico Tedesco’s side a deserved point.

Cologne 3-4 Freiburg

Cologne’s credible 2-2 draw with Schalke last week wasn’t enough to save Peter Stoger’s job and he was sacked 24 hours later. Freiburg were unable to break down Hamburg and were unlucky to only draw 0-0. Cologne raced into a lead here when Lukas Klunter put them ahead within 8 minutes. Sehrou Guirassy made it 2-0 on 16 minutes and Caleb Stanko scored an own goal to make it 3-0 on 29 minutes, sending Stefan Ruthenbeck into dreamland in his first game in charge. Nils Peterson scored on 39 minutes though to ensure that Freiburg would go into at half-time with something to fight for. On 65 minutes Jannik Haberer scored for Freiburg again and the away side were now in the ascendency. It looked as if the Cologne would hold out for their first win of the season – until Peterson equalised in the 90th minute. When it looked as if things couldn’t get any worse, Guirassy handballed in stoppage time and Peterson converted from the penalty spot to score his hat-trick and snatch a win from the jaws of defeat.

Hannover 2-0 Hoffenheim

Hannover travelled to the Allianz Arena last week and were well beaten 3-1 by Bayern, while Hoffenheim claimed an unlikely 4-0 victory at the expense of Red Bull Leipzig at home. They would get back on track here but it took Nikolas Fullkrug until the 59th minute to put Andre Breitenreiter’s side ahead. The points were eventually sealed by Martin Harnik in the 85th minute.

Augsburg 1-1 Hertha Berlin

Augsburg came away from Mainz last week with a very good performance and three points from a 3-1 win. Hertha Berlin weren’t as fortunate, going down 2-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. This was predictably a tight game and it took until the 74th minute for the first goal to come, Caiuby putting the home side ahead. It looked like the game would end with a home win, until Salomon Kalou equalised in stoppage time to claim a point for Pal Dardai and his boys.

Game Week 16 Fixtures

Tuesday 12th December

Wolfsburg vs. Red Bull Leipzig (17.30)

Hamburg vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (19.30)

Mainz vs. Borussia Dortmund

Freiburg vs. Borussia Monchengladbach

Wednesday 13th December

Hoffenheim vs. VfB Stuttgart (17.30)

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Werder Bremen (19.30)

Bayern Munich vs. Cologne

Hertha Berlin vs. Hannover

Schalke vs. Augsburg