Bayern Munich – 1899 Hoffenheim 2:1
This game was filled with high hopes and expectations and did not let down any true football fan. Both sides left no doubt that they were able to play the game to its finest. Hoffenheim’s Ibisevic once more looked like the match winner when he put his team ahead but Bayern’s strong right back Lahm equalized. With both teams being equally strong it looked like a draw in the dying minutes but with less than a minute left on the clock, Luca Toni put the ball in the back of the net to seal the home winner leaving both teams with the same points at the top of the table, only separated in goal difference in favour of the underdog. Each team will have one more game before the winter break in order to claim top spot.
Schalke 04 – Hertha BSC Berlin 1:0
Hertha BSC came with big hopes to Schalke only to find out that they were never able to meet the quality of Schalke’s game on this match day. A very passive Berlin side, looking mainly for a goalless draw, had a lot of trouble with the pressuring Schalke side. A one goal margin does not reflect the game but it shows once more Schalke’s inability to convert clear chances into goals. After all this win will give the players a bit of rest from the media attention and the officials air to breathe when being under fire for mismanagement. Berlin will have to depend on their home game to stay amongst the top teams in the league.
Eintracht Frankfurt – VfL Bochum 4:0
The travelling Bochum fans must have felt like witnessing a nightmare when their goalkeeper was sent off after only five minutes into the game and a penalty was awarded against them. After having not won for eleven games, their hopes of a turnaround were killed so early. Frankfurt then took over the game with the confidence you have when leading so early and deservedly won the game with a high score. While Frankfurt is winning the must wins, Bochum will need to remember how to win at all. Their next game at home against Cologne will be a vital one against a possible relegation in a season where they claimed to have the best Bochum side in years. Frankfurt are now able to relax as they are seven points clear off the relegation spots.
Karlsruher SC - Werder Bremen 1:0
Karlsruhe set itself free with a shocking 1:0 win against powerhouse Bremen. As Bremen is having a horrible season with shocking performances especially on their away days, they added another loss to their record to the joy of Karlsruhe who started the game as the league’s last team. Werder’s strikers fail to convert even the easiest chances and Karlsruhe’s spirit was the difference between the two teams. As Werder lost more and more control over the game, the hosts started believing in themselves and won the game very late but not undeservedly. Bremen is in a deep crisis after only being ninth in the league, far behind their own expectations. Pizarro saw a red card and will be missing next game and also Diego might be in trouble as TV cameras revealed hi choking a KSC player. Karlsruhe battle will go on with certainly more confidence after this important and unexpected win.
Energie Cottbus – VfB Stuttgart 0:3
Energie Cottbus lost a game where for a long time they were equally strong. The individual quality of the players made the difference between the two teams and while Cottbus put on pressure but failed to score, Stuttgart used their counter attacks to win three points and make their caretaker manager Markus Babbel more and more likely to stay in his position after the winter break and be the new Stuttgart man in charge. Cottbus will strive to stay away from a relegation spot but will need to concentrate more when being given one of the rare chances in their games.
Arminia Bielefeld – Borussia Dortmund 0:0
It was supposed to be a western derby between the two teams with lots of emotions and goals. Unfortunately for the fans, they did see lots of effort on both sides but the score remained goalless. Only Kirch managed to put the ball over the line but saw his leader being denied by the referee due to an offside position in the box. None of the teams were able to win big points, either for their battle against relegation or for their hopes of international football next season. None the less it was an entertaining game which may not deserve a winner but definitely a few goals.
Borussia M’gladbach – Bayer Leverkusen 1:3
After the final whistle everybody in Gladbach knew that the team is in deeper trouble and that the new coach is not a magician. Borussia showed a very engaged game but individual mistakes in the defense made it too easy for Leverkusen to punish the hosts. Bayer showed clinical finish and did not have to do more than waiting for Borussia’s mistakes. A late consolation goal could not change the fact that Gladbach is now last in the table and the powerhouse of the 70’s will face a tough winter break while Leverkusen came back from having lost two games to secure three points. Their inability to control the game will worry some in Leverkusen though. The teams looks ready for the winter break.
VfL Wolfsburg – Hannover 96 2:1
Another derby of the weekend ended in a deserved 2:1 win for Wolfsburg against struggling Hanover. The hosts took the lead and also controlled the game with Hanover looking insecure which was about to change after halftime when Czech striker Stajner equalized for the visitors but only to make his own team falling behind moments later with an own goal. With only ten minutes left on the clock, Wolfsburg looked like the winner when Hanover’s goalie was sent off for professional foul in the box, a very doubtful and very disappointing decision for Hanover. Since three changes have already been made, midfielder Rosenthal took over and managed to save the penalty in spectacular style. Unfortunately for the hero, it was not enough for his team to come back and so they lost 2:1 in a very exiciting second half.
1.FC Cologne – Hamburger SV 1:2
Cologne has lost its fourth game in a row in a Bundesliga classic against Hamburg. The guests played with both Croatians in the front and Petric turned out to be the match winner for the guests and he scored both goals for Hamburg. The visitors deserved the three points and had many more chances to score and seal the match with Olic being unlucky a few times. A late consolation goal gave Cologne a glimpse of hope but the goal came too late. Novakovic scored his tenth goal of the season and remains Cologne’s lonely hero upfront. Hamburg proved that they can win away after having had trouble on the road this season. Despite the UEFA Cup match on Thursday, HSV looked fit and now kept in touch with the three points. Cologne is still a comfortable seven points away from a relegation spot but have no won a single point in the past four weeks. They will need to be careful and keep their eyes to what is happening behind them in the table.
