Relegations and derby victories and a look to the Champions League semifinals and more on the Bundesliga round-up.
Entering the Rhein Main derby Eintracht Frankfurt had been without a goal in their last three matches but the never give up attitude installed by Niko Kovac paid dividends as goals from captain Marco Russ and Anis Ben-Hatira pushed the Eagles through to a 2-1 derby victory over Mainz 05.
Stand in captain Marco Russ brought dread to Frankfurt fans as his foul outside the box to set the stage for Daniel Brosinski to score from the free kick his first goal in seven years. That lead in the 18th minute wouldn’t last long as Russ made up for his mistake scoring from a nearly turned over ball from Anis Ben-Hatira who then knocked in the equalizer. The Tunisian would score from a deflection in the second half to give the Eagles a much needed win in their relegation fight.
Werder Bremen’s Bundesliga survival hopes were delt a terrible hand as they were defeated by their greatest rivals Hamburg 2-1 in a feisty match in the Nordderby at the Volksparkstadion.
A brace for Pierre-Michel Lasogga in the first half found the Grun und Weisse in dire straights early. Anthony Ujah, the Nigerian international, made things closer with a goal in the second half but the Dinosaurs were triumphant in the derby and secured survival in the Bundesliga. A nice accomplishment considering the past two seasons they had merely survived via the relegation playoff.
Bayer Leverkusen was the talk of Saturday night as the second half comeback assured themselves European competition for next season in a 3-2 win at Schalke 04.
Schalke in the first half was showing a glimpse of the class the team is capable of when Eric Chouop-Moting and Leroy Sane scored to look commanding at the half 2-0 up. But this is Schalke and within 15 minutes of the second half Leverkusen found themselves in front via goals from teenager and hot boots Julian Brandt, Karim Bellarabi and Mexican superstar Chicharito.
FC Koln gave some small belief to the idea that with Bayern and Dortmund in the DFB Pokal Final that they could possibly qualify for Europe as they dispatched Bundesliga newbies Darmstadt 4-1 in Cologne.
A pair of goals from leader of the line Anthony Modeste and midfielder Marcel Risse meant that Schalke in 7th is a reasonable and attainable goal. Darmstadt looked to be getting clear of the relegation race but a match against local rivals looms and their Bundesliga survival isn’t secure.
Borussia Monchengladbach kept the race for the Champions League alive as they again showed they had the cutting edge at home in a 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim has shown they have the form to get survival for this year after their poor start. Thing was there was little evidence against the Foals. Borussia is now a mere point from the coveted fourth Champions League place.
A pair of second half goals was all that Bayern needed as they visited the capital to put a dent in Hertha Berlin’s Champions League hopes.
With a massive game midweek it was a surprise that Hertha was able to not take hold of a team that had their minds elsewhere. Berlin has been dropping points for a while and now they have Borussia just behind them. With just three matches remaining time is running out for the capital club.
Borussia Dortmund didn’t let up even an inch as time runs out on the title race. Sadly for Stuttgart they were in the way of a 3-0 loss at home.
Young American Christian Pulisic scored his second Bundesliga goals in as many weeks. But really the talking point can be the collapse of Stuttgart who now find themselves looking down the barrel of a relegation shotgun that they thought they had rid the threat of earlier. Though road ahead for the Swabians.
FC Augsburg took advantage of a rather dour VfL Wolfsburg as they won their third consecutive match to pull further clear of the Bundesliga relegation zone in a 2-0 road victory.
After leading the team into the Europa League but suffering in the league Markus Weinzierl has lead Augsburg on a good run that has seen them raise from certain relegation candidates to a point that his services might be demanded elsewhere and the Bavarian club will hear the cash register chime. Wolfsburg looks like they are on the beach and anyone who faces them will have a great opportunity to get points from a club with no incentive.
Finnaly the wait is over and Hannover 96 became the first squad to be relegated from the Bundesliga. It was not of their choosing as they made a nice effort to comeback from being down 2-0 to even things up at Ingolstadt.
For fans of the red this will be a season to forget after nearly two straight decades of the Bundesliga. Ingolstadt doesn’t usually give up cheap goals and this was a little bit of a surprise but its official that the Lower Saxony club will be in the second division next season.
German words
Ballbesitz-possession (something Bayern needs to do Wednesday)
Bayern Seeks Another Title
Bayern players and staff must have thought ‘Anyone but Atletico Madrid’ when the draw was about to take place. It happened to be exactly that team. Under Diego Simeone they have been that club that nobody wants to play. They go toe to toe and in just a moment of concentration lapse they score and hold on to the result.
For Bayern it is simple. Retain possession and unlike Barcelona do not hesitate to take the advantage early to ensure an easier ride.
Prediction: this has got 1-1 draw all over ti
