Marco Fabian scored the most significant point of the weekend for Frankfurt v Bayern Munich – Photo ESPN FC
by Brian Sanders
Bayern drops more points, a third manager change, and European preparation nightmares. That and more in the Bundesliga round up of match day seven.
Bayern Munich had not conceded to Eintracht Frankfurt since the 2010-11 campaign so entering the match there was not much fear of dropping points to the Eagles. However, like the previous season getting the full three points at the Commerzbank Arena is difficult. In the end despite a man advantage Bayern conceded a late goal for only a share of the points at 2-2.
An end to end match where Frankfurt gave as much as they got. Aren Robben opened the scoring after 10 minutes, but that did little to keep Eintracht unfocused as Szabolcs Huszti nabbed an equalizer late in the first half to give confidence to the hosts. Bayern seemed to regain a sense of comfort as Joshua Kimmich scored his fifth goal in six matches topped by a second yellow card to Huszti. But the Eagles would not be denied as the CONCACAF combination of USMNT member Timothy Chandler who’s cross to the Mexican Marco Fabian was netted for the equalizer, and a share of the points.
FC Koln has been a different sort of Bundesliga team this season as they find themselves in second spot in the league. Against FC Ingolstadt there was little resistance as the Billy Goats coasted to a 2-1 victory.
Anthony Modeste scored a first half brace in under 10 minutes to give himself a one goal lead in the goal scoring championship. Ingolstadt looked very lackluster all match long, while they scored in the 90th minute it was nothing more than too little too late. The Billy Goats will now find themselves in the Champions League places, a position that is totally unknown to FC Koln in recent seasons.
BVB found themselves fighting for the European places against Hertha Berlin, but failed to take full advantage of the slip up by Bayern. Both would share the spoils in a 1-1 match at the Westfalenstadion.
BVB had only themselves to blame as Emre More and Christian Pulisic were unable to find the winning touch. The offseason was hard on Dortmund and it looks to be a long road to putting it all together. For Hertha Berlin the draw against a strong side will keep the team in good position to stay in the European places after falling out of the Europa League.
RB Leipzig has been a big surprise to the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg the opposite. A 1-0 victory for the East German club situates them in the Champions League places but meant that the Wolves coach Dieter Hecking would be chopped, the third manager to do so this season.
The Wolves had opportunities presented to them but the 45 million in transfer fees spent on the squad in the offseason could only show half chances and shot saves by keeper and the frame. RB looked solid from the outset and their hot start to the season was rewarded as Emil Forsberg found the back of the net in a match dubbed El Plastico.
Other Bundesliga action.
Schalke was unable to get a victory for its new coach Markus Weinzierl as he made his return to Augsburg where he made his name. Spoils shared at 1-1 just prior to the Royal Blues Europa League match at Russian side Krasnodar.
Hoffenheim played host in a southern derby of sorts, to SC Freiburg. Both coming off recent good wins the hosts came away 2-1 winners and now find themselves in the European places.
Mainz hosted local rivals Darmstadt in hopes of earning their first home win of the season. The 05ers were not to be denied as they dispatched the Lilies 2-1 to find themselves suddenly in the European places with a match against Belgian side Anderlecht in the Europa League midweek.
Werder Bremen continues their improvement under Alexander Nouri as the northern club defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in the Topspiel match. For Leverkusen the road doesn’t get easier as they now visit London and Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League midweek.
Despite being down to 10 men HSV found the strength to hold off a difficult Borussia Monchengladbach 0-0 at Borussia Park. This missed opportunity will bite the Foals who would have taken any momentum gained as they now look to face Glasgow Celtic in Scotland midweek in the Champions League.
Player of the Week: Marco Fabian
The Mexican had been called a traitor and betrayer of the El Tri shirt for leaving after the first friendly to prepare for the fixture against Bayern. Scoring the winning goal and providing other chances is why he gets player of the week honors
