Bundesliga Week 17 Review

December 15, 2008

Borussia Dortmund – Borussia M’gladbach 2:1

In the direct competition of the two Borussias in Dortmund, the host came out of the game as winners and certainly the luckier side. The game did not offer a lot of great football but it did offer engagement from both sides and three goals, two of them certainly very enjoyable and competitors for goals of the week. Gladbach started off better but the surprising Dortmund lead turned the match around. After the red card for Dortmund’s playmaker, Gladbach never managed to create any pressure and therefore deserved the loss. Dortmund has played the most successful first half of the season in six years with surprising 29 points while Gladbach is stuck at the bottom of the table with only 11 points in 17 games and most goals against. They are definitely facing a cold winter while the end of the season in may might be even colder.

Werder Bremen – VfL Wolfsburg 2:1

Werder Bremen won very important points at home in order to keep critics quiet. Despite missing a lot of their first team players and falling behind in the game after only three minutes, Werder managed to come back and win. Özil who took over for suspended Diego played another good game in the playmaker’s position and is of great interest for the German and Turkish national team. Wolfsburg will have to ask itself once more why it is the strongest home team but could not win a single match away this season. Manager Magath will have to work on that and a good season will be ahead. Werder on the other side will still miss Diego and Pizarro in the new year but will be happy about winter break now to get things sorted. The break is well needed for them.

Hamburger SV – Eintracht Frankfurt 1:0

Hamburg became a minimalist team under Stevens last season. They proved that they have not forgotten those skills under their new coach and beat Frankfurt in a close encounter 1-0 with a Petric goal, who was also the match winner last week in Cologne. Meanwhile his Croatian teammate and partner in the front line is said to have signed for giants Bayern Munich but nothing is officially confirmed yet. Frankfurt fans seem to have to get used to the up and downs of their team since lately a win was followed by a loss and vice versa. Nonetheless Eintracht is happy with the table position after a very rough start into the season.

VfB Stuttgart – Bayern Munich 2:2

It was Klinsmann’s comeback to Stuttgart where he started his career. With Ribéry out due to a shoulder injury, Klinsmann’s team managed to win a point against Stuttgart but must have felt unfortunate when Stuttgart scored a dramatic last gasp equalizer by Khedira, who scored both goals for the hosts. Bayern still enjoys a good run and remains unbeaten for more than ten games now. Stuttgart remains unbeaten under Babbel and it seems more than likely that he will remain in his position and sign a contract as official head coach in the next days.

Bayer Leverkusen – Energie Cottbus 1:1

Another huge disappointment for all Leverkusen fans in their last game in their old stadium. Bayer drew against Cottbus at home which is a shock for the Leverkusen stars as they are hoping for a Champions League qualifying position in the table. Cottbus was over the moon with their last minute equalizer which was fully deserved. With their little financial means, Cottbus will be happy with thirteen points. Leverkusen only won one out of the last four games and will be happy to be in the winter break now. The second half of the season will be played in Düsseldorf as their own arena is rebuild and will be expanded by about 8.000 seats. Bayer hopes that Düsseldorf will be a good ground for them which wins them the points they will need.

Hannover 96 – Arminia Bielefeld 1:1

With two cities being so close and two teams that close in the official table, a draw is certainly the most logical result. After Hannover took the lead and looked to be able to overcome the rough times, Bielefeld struck back by a Wichniarek goal. It was his tenth goal of the season which is very remarkable considering the team only scored sixteen goals in the first 17 games. Both teams are still together in the league table but will go into the rest of the season with different ambitions. While hanover will strive to finally climb up and win a few games, Bielefeld will have to focus on their battle against relegation where they may see Hanover again if 96 doesn’t play to their fully potential.

Hertha BSC Berlin – Karlsruher SC 4:0

Karlsruhe was the surprise team of last season which many stunning wins. This season Hertha BSC Berlin is a huge surprise for everyone finishing the first half of the season on a sensational third position, after their best first half of the season of all times! A goal galore saw the home crowd walking home happily and Karlsruhe devastated and helpless once more. KSC is now far away from being a surprise and they might have to walk the bitter way to the second division if they cannot play more efficiently. Hertha players enjoy a good Christmas party and Karlsruhe will work hard in their winter camp to be ready for the last seventeen games that can keep them in the division.

VfL Bochum – 1.FC Cologne 1:2

The fans in Bochum saw a highly dramatic game in a match that was declared as a six points match. The luckier side from Cologne managed to score the goals in the right moments and take away those vital points to hurt Bochum even more. The hosts are now left without a win in thirteen games. They did fight hard and created some chances but luck was not on their side. The conceded the goals out of the blue and could not overcome a Cologne side that was weakened by two sent offs. The guests from the Rhine River shot twice on net and scored on both occasions. Now being clear eleven points from a possible relegation spot, Cologne will be happy with the points they have earned so far while Bochum, second last in the division and a huge disappointment for their fans this season, will have to focus on their abilities and try to get away from the lower regions as soon as possible.

1899 Hoffenheim – Schalke 04 1:1

1899 Hoffenheim is still table leader after an entertaining and very emotional game against Schalke 04. The troubled visitors played a respectable first half and took the lead. In the second half, Hoffenheim showed why they are so successful this season and combined in their usual style. With Schalke suffering from two sent offs, one for Jones and one for the transfer flop Engelaar, Hoffenheim was closer to the win in the last minutes but could not manage to put the ball over the line. Schalke will be relieved to get away with a point from Hoffenheim to please the massive critics from recent weeks while Hoffenheim remains the season’s sensation and is thought to have a real chance to compete for the championship this season with Hildebrand as a new signing for the goalkeeper position.

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