Against VfB Stuttgart, Borussia Dortmund operates impressive frustration management. FC Augsburg deprives themselves of the supposedly certain victory against Leipzig. FC Bayern defeat Hoffenheim while SC Freiburg show a reaction to the Munich swatter.
SC Freiburg – Werder Bremen 2: 0 (0: 0)
SC Freiburg celebrated its sixth win of the season in the Bundesliga and is still hot on the heels of leaders Union Berlin. Three days after the exhausting success in the DFB Cup against FC St. Pauli (2-1 aet), coach Christian Streich’s team beat a decimated Werder Bremen 2-0 (0-0). With 21 points from eleven games, Freiburg is initially only two points behind Union, which can improve on Sunday. Lukas Kübler (56th) and Vincenzo Grifo (80th, penalty kick) scored the goals in front of 34,700 spectators in the sold-out Europa-Park stadium. Bremen’s captain Marco Friedl was red carded early on for an emergency brake (14′). For Werder, who remain on 15 points, it was the first away defeat of the season.
Freiburg immediately tried to take control and barely gave Bremen time to build up the game. But even the Sport-Club couldn’t create any significant scoring chances in the early stages, despite having more possession of the ball. Friedl then saw red in the 14th minute – after Michael Gregoritsch had played past the defender, the 24-year-old only knew how to help himself with a foul. The subsequent free kick from almost twenty meters got stuck in the wall, but the ball landed at Kiliann Sildillia, who shot just wide to the left from a very short distance (16′).
Freiburg, who tried a lot on the wings, set the tone up to half-time, but not more compellingly in front of goal. The Breisgauer lacked ideas against deep-seated Bremen, who in turn only became halfway dangerous once through Amos Pieper (23rd). Even after the change of sides, Freiburg dictated what happened and deservedly took the lead. Kübler’s shot hit the far corner from the inside right.
A little later, Gregoritsch already had the preliminary decision on his feet (67th), but failed completely free on the strong parrying Pavlenka. While Freiburg was now pushing for the second goal (77′), Bremen were mainly busy defending – Grifo was then fouled late and casually converted the following penalty.
Bayer Leverkusen – VfL Wolfsburg 2:2 (1:1)
Character test passed, but missed a liberating blow: Bayer Leverkusen did not answer the last two claps with a win. The team of coach Xabi Alonso did not get past a 2: 2 (1: 1) against the extremely conservative VfL Wolfsburg in a game with crazy twists and turns despite a clear superiority. Moussa Diaby, who miserably missed a penalty (10′), gave Bayer the lead in the 17th minute. Wolfsburg equalized flatteringly in the 28th minute through Robert Andrich’s own goal and even took the lead through captain Maximilian Arnold (54′, penalty kick). Jeremie Frimpong (76th) saved Bayer at least one point. The wolves extended their mini-series to five competitive games without defeat. Leverkusen left the relegation zone at least until Sunday.
Early in the game, Bayer was given the mega-chance to take the lead. Diaby dribbled to the baseline, his cross was parried by Micky van de Ven with his hand. The Bayer attacker stepped up himself – and shot well past the goal. Leverkusen stayed in front of 26,294 spectators, including national coach Hansi Flick.
Wolfsburg was initially tied only on the defensive. It wasn’t the only negative: the guests had treated themselves to an attack of ignorance and arrogance upon arrival. The club apologized and announced a review.
In the 17th minute, the Wolfsburg defense was no longer able to cope with Leverkusen’s move to the goal: Diaby played a simple one-two with Schick representative Adam Hlozek, ran towards Casteels alone and tunnelled the Belgian. In the 28th minute, however, the fresh self-confidence of the Werkself was put to the test: Wolfsburg combined for the first time in a reasonably dangerous manner, but Ridle Baku’s cross would probably have meant nothing – if Andrich hadn’t cleared the ball into his own goal.
Wolfsburg humorlessly took advantage of the opponent’s uncertainty. Edmond Tapsoba fouled Felix Nmecha in the penalty area shortly after the break, Arnold converted dryly. Alonso became more and more emotional in his coaching zone. When Frimpong equalized, he celebrated exuberantly.
TSG Hoffenheim – Bayern Munich 0: 2 (0: 2)
Bayern Munich is getting better and better and is closing in on the leaders Union Berlin. Despite prominent failures, the record champions won 2-0 (2-0) at TSG Hoffenheim. This puts Bayern just one point behind Union, at least until Sunday. Jamal Musiala (17th) and the new goalkeeper Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (38th) scored for the champions at the old workplace of coach Julian Nagelsmann. With four competitive wins behind them, Bayern are traveling to the Champions League game on Wednesday at FC Barcelona for former Munich star striker Robert Lewandowski.
The 30,150 spectators in the sold-out Sinsheimer Arena saw a lively start. The hosts went to work bravely, but ex-Hoffenheimer Serge Gnabry had the first good chance for Munich (3rd). Driven by Joshua Kimmich and Musiala, the guests remained dangerous even after the Gnabry chance. Leadership seemed only a matter of time. Hoffenheim, who were missing the suspended defender Kevin Vogt, had big problems with Bayern’s pace.
The lead fell after a corner. Musiala skilfully completed an overtime header from Leon Goretzka. Shortly thereafter, Goretzka should have followed up from close range, but failed to TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann (20th). Hoffenheim were well served with the narrow deficit in the middle of the first half, as Baumann had to save again against Gnabry (23rd). On the other side, Georginio Rutter checked Neuer representative Sven Ulreich (24th).
Choupo-Moting’s goal after Gnabry’s preparatory work showed Bayern’s superiority. It was the center forward’s fourth goal in the past three competitive games. After that, the Munich team let it slide a bit. Ulreich had to save against Rutter (40′) and Grischa Prömel (45′). The hosts, whose ailing star striker Andrej Kramaric was on the bench, deserved a goal before the break.
At the beginning of the second half, Bayern maintained their lead. Hardly anything happened in front of both goals, the game dragged on. Both Mane and Kramaric came on in the 61st minute. Due to their passivity, Munich begged a little for a goal. Substitute Marcel Sabitzer only posed a threat again in the 71st minute. Before and after that, Bayern were lucky in a few situations in front of their own goal.
Borussia Dortmund – VfB Stuttgart 5: 0 (3: 0)
Led by the outstanding Jew Bellingham, Borussia Dortmund has impressively ended its earnings crisis and celebrated its first success in four weeks. Coach Edin Terzic’s team, who had only picked up one point from the last three games, defeated VfB Stuttgart 5-0 (3-0) and consolidated their place in the top group.
The tireless driver Bellingham (2nd, 53rd), Niklas Süle (13th), Giovanni Reyna (44th) and Youssoufa Moukoko (72nd) scored for the very efficient Dortmund, who played convincingly and in particular showed the virtues demanded by Terzic : Resolutely defend collectively and consistently support each other. If VfB did get chances, Gregor Kobel was a safe support – that’s what ended up being Stuttgart’s first defeat under interim coach Michael Wimmer.
BVB got off to a dream start: Bellingham converted the first attack into the lead after just 91 seconds. Stuttgart tried to respond quickly, Konstantinos Mavropanos (4th) shot over the goal, Tiago Tomas (9th) failed at Kobel. A little later, Süle made it 2-0 after a free kick. Dortmund had the game firmly in hand – and let the reins slip briefly. The guests also combined several times near the goal of Kobel, but without coming to compelling opportunities. Reyna, who considered and placed a combination, showed how it’s done. For the American, who has often been injured recently, it was the first Bundesliga goal since August 2021.
Even after the break BVB started mercilessly effective, Bellingham was not attacked in the penalty area and the in-form Englishman scored with a remarkable flick. When Dortmund picked up the pace, played fast and direct, Stuttgart could hardly keep up in this phase. Julian Brandt initiated several dangerous situations from the left flank, the few relief attacks by Stuttgart were often intercepted by the attentive defense around Mats Hummels.
FC Augsburg – Leipzig 3: 3 (1: 0)
Disgrace avoided, but still only mediocre: RB Leipzig managed to win 3: 3 (0: 1) at FC Augsburg thanks to a strong race to catch up and thus remained undefeated in the seventh competitive game in a row, had to hunt for international places however, accept a slight dampener. After the goals from Mergim Berisha (34′, penalty kick), Ermedin Demirovic (51′) and Ruben Vargas (64′), the Augsburg team, who appeared courageously again, already felt like the sure winner. But after a yellow-red card for Iago (65th), RB fought back with goals from Andre Silva (72nd), Christopher Nkunku (89th) and Hugo Novoa (90th) and earned three days before the champions -League game against Real Madrid at least one point.
The 26,000 spectators in the Augsburg Arena initially saw a balanced game. Both teams tried hard to play forward quickly when in possession of the ball. However, it did not result in more than a harmless conclusion by RB striker Andre Silva (7th). As a result, Augsburg increasingly took control of the game and successfully prevented Leipzig from building up the game in an orderly manner. Still, it was the Saxons who recorded the game’s first big chance. But Forsberg (27th) failed with his low shot at the strongly reacting Tomas Koubek, who replaced the still injured Rafal Gikiewicz in the Augsburg goal.
The more active FCA did better on the other side. After David Raum fouled Ruben Vargas, Berisha confidently converted the penalty due, before the break Demirovic (41′) missed the chance to make it 2-0. When he headed the ball completely free from a Berisha corner, the Bosnian then aimed more precisely and headed in to make it 2-0. Rose reacted and brought in top scorer Christopher Nkunku, among others, but Augsburg didn’t let themselves fall behind. After Vargas conceded the next goal, the game seemed to be over, but Leipzig reported back.
