Bayer Leverkusen – VfL Wolfsburg 2:0
Bayer proved once more in what great form they are by easily beating Wolfsburg. The guests were very defensive and waited for counter attacks but rarely managed to put Bayer’s new star goalie Adler under pressure. Bayer on the other hand controlled the game but was not very creative during the first half. After the break Bayer piled up the pressure and secured another 2-0 win, their fourth in a row! Bayer is looking very strong and this year has no international football to play. Therefore they can focus on the league and pundits say they have a serious chance to win the championship. Wolfsburg, that was tipped to have the same chance before the season are now back to reality but will still look for a spot that allows them to play internationally next season.
Bayern Munich – Arminia Bielefeld 3:1
As expected, Bayern had not trouble beating Bielefeld. More than thirty shots on goal secured them a winner which easily could have had a bigger margin, also documented by twenty corners they have won during the match. The Bavarians are on their way up but trouble is still home at the club as Podolski had to sit on the bench again during the first half and stated after the game that during winter break he will have to rethink his future. He made it known many times that he would love to go back to Cologne. Bielefeld only dangerman at the moment is Wichniarek but him alone was not enough. Arminia will battle on against relegation and look to win against weaker teams than powerhouse Bayern.
Werder Bremen – Hertha BSC Berlin 5:1
After a horrible October for Werder without a win, they finally gained three well deserved points at home after taking Berlin apart. Bremen pleased its fans with their well known offensive football and left their guests no chance at all. As main contenders for the championship title this year, they will now strive to maintain their form and keep on winning games. Berlin on the other hand are still inconsistent in their form. Pantelic alone won’t be enough as Voronin still has not fully settled in Berlin yet with only a single goal so far this season.
VfB Stuttgart – 1.FC Cologne 1:3
Surprising for many, Cologne won this tough away game in Stuttgart on the return of Daum to his former club which he made champions back in 1992. Stuttgart found no means against a very defensive playing Cologne side. With only two strikers, four denfensive midfielders and four defenders as well as Mondragon in the goal, they managed to score three goals. Two of them were gifts as Hitzlsperger and Hilbert made big mistakes that cost Stuttgart a chance to win. Cologne will be please with this result and despite not scoring many goals, their defense won them a very respectable league position. VfB is far from their expected form and will have to work harder.
Hanover 96 – Hamburger SV 3:0
Hanover shoked Hamburg with two early goals in the match between the two HSV’s. The so called small HSV managed to overcome its bigger “brother” with great fighting spirit and clinical finishing. That was exactly was Hamburg couldn’t show on the field and therefore deserved to lose. Their title bid was harmed in Hanover and Hamburg will have to step it up soon, especially when playing on the road. Hanover is next going to Cologne and three points there could help them to get away from the lower regions of the league, but it won’t be an easy game!
Energie Cottbus – FC Schalke 04 0:2
Week in, week out Cottbus seems to be losing games and the fans feel like they have been waiting for a win for years. Last season Energie won at home against Schalke so the hopes were up before this game. Reality woke them up as their Energie was blown away by two late Schalke goals. Despite being one man down, Schalke managed to win three important points to keep their dreams of the top spot alive. Cottbus looks like the safest bet for relegation and good advice seems far away. The team might just be too weak to compete on this level.
1899 Hoffenheim – Karlsruher SC 4:1
Hoffenheim is still unstoppable and still leading the table while playing great football. Another demonstration of their abilities on the field was performed against Karlsruhe. Despite being far from scoring on all occasions, Hoffenheim still easily ran out as winners and even Bayern Munich’s manager Hoeneß stated, that Hoffenheim can compete for the title if they keep playing like this. Karlsruhe with another loss is on its way down, unless the team proved a good spirit and can win the tight games which they have lost lately.
Borussia Dortmund – VfL Bochum 1:1
Dortmund cannot seem to win at home this season and another draw followed against Bochum. VfL played good football during the first half and deserved to take the lead but a long distance shot after Weidenfeller’s mistake. Dortmund then managed to equalize out of the blue. All in all not a special game and many fans will miss the old power at home that used to be significant for Dortmund. BVB needs to be more consistent in their performances while Bochum will take this point and keep on trying to get away from the relegation zone.
Borussia M’gladbach – Eintracht Frankfurt 1:2
In a match that was declared as a six point match, Frankfurt came out as the winner only to push Gladbach deeper into trouble. Gladbach’s new coach Meyer’s magic looks already like falling apart after the second loss in the third game. Despite easily winning promotion last year, Borussia has major problems settling in Germany’s topflight and it might only be this one season that they are given if they don’t come up with good results soon. Frankfurt has won three out of their last four games and are crawling out of the dark to the joy of their under pressure coach Funkel, who was always backed by the chairman but highly critisised by the fans this season after doing a great job last season. Eintracht’s looking better now, Gladbach’s still in shock.
