Big match results, new league leaders, and last minute derby winners in the Bundesliga round up.
Bayern Munich had not lost in Der Klassiker to rival Borussia Dortmund since a 3-0 result in 2013-14 and just like in Pep Guardiola’s first season Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern fell prey to Thomas Tuchel and BVB 1-0 in a table shake up at the 1/3 juncture of the season.
With a move that was definitely off the training ground, a flurry of passes as former Bayern attacker Mario Gotze nutmeged former Dortmund defender Mats Hummels to find Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who poked home the difference making goal.
Bayern was not up to the task as Tuchel finally broke his Munich duck and now the league is open for the first time in years. This despite still having a deep squad full of talent the fire in the belly is not there and it would seem that there is nothing to hold them back from the rest of the league taking advantage of the weakness being shown by FCB now.
With a little help from BVB suddenly the new kids on the block RB Leipzig are on top of the Bundesliga and by their own doing. A tough few moments with Bayer Leverkusen but after a 3-2 come from behind victory there is a new leader of the Bundesliga thats not Bayern or Dortmund for the first time in 79 match days.
Behind at a mere minute in on an own goal seemed to restore parity but only for Julian Brandt to get a goal before the half. This is where Ralph Hasenhuttl and company found their grit. Fighting their way back RB Leipzig found goals in Emil Forsberg and Willy Orban to force their way. Comparisons are misplaced in comparing this side to the reigning English champions Leicester, this team is doing this in year one of the top flight.
An early goal looked to have FC Koln on the back foot but in the Rhine derby a late goal won the day as Borussia Monchengladbach lost yet again in this early part of the 2016-17 season, 2-1 to their biggest rivals.
Captain for the Foals Lars Stindl looked to have the hosts off and running in a match that at times has meant more than the entirety of the season. A flurry of saves by Thomas Kessler gave the Billy Goats a chance and Anthony Modeste scored the equalizer. With time expiring Marcel Risse was given a free kick and made the most of it to put the Cathedral club up with no time left and a spring into fourth place.
Elsewhere in the Bundesliga
Eintracht Frankfurt came back with two second half goals, both on substitutions, as Werder Bremen lost yet again 2-1 at the Weserstadion.
Ingolstadt new manager Maik Walpurgis got his tenure off to a good start as the Bavarians won on the road for the first time this campaign 1-0 over Darmstadt.
HSV snapped a three match losing streak with a surprise 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim, the Dinosaurs will look to use this momentum heading into the big Nordderby against Bremen next match day.
Leon Goretzga scored late to give Schalke 04 a 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg.
FC Augsburg and Hertha Berlin played to a 0-0 draw that sees the Capital club in a five team tie for third and the Bavarian club comfortably away from the relegation scramble.
Player of the Week
Julian Weigl: more unsung hero than anything. Covered more ground than anyone in Dortmund’s 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich and his performance was one that kept the black and yellow forward while yet covering when Bayern did counter and push. This youngster is a bright light for the German national team
German Football phase of the Week
Achter: a box to box midfielder, such as Julian Weigl, who is both adept at attack and defense
