Bundesliga Matchday 25: Bayern and Wolfsburg Snap at Hertha's Heels

Surprising Results

Borussia Dortmund 1:0 Werder

Just as I thought Bremen were finally getting consistent, they decided to prove me wrong again!

Bremen lost to Dortmund and a sole Alex Frei penalty was enough to see them off. Dortmund didn’t draw the game which was even more surprising!

This was Dortmund’s first win this year.

Borussia Moenchengladbach 0:1 VfL Bochum

Borussia had impressed me this year with their wins over Koeln and Hamburg, but they couldn’t hold it together against Bochum.

I had thought another victory was in the cards for Gladbach—but this is the Bundesliga, and I was proved wrong as usual. A Denis Grote goal was enough for Bochum to take three points, leaving Gladbach in the relegation zone.

Hoffenheim 2:2 Hanover

Forget the Champions League—it’s all about trying to qualify for Europe at the moment for the Hoff. They are in freefall after the winter break and can be deemed as Dortmund’s twin brother. They, just like Dortmund, are not losing and are not winning but are drawing. Hoff took the lead via a Selim Teber penalty but the lead lasted just two minutes thanks to an equalizer from seven metres from Hanno Balitsch.

In the second half, an Arnold Bruggink freekick found Mario Eggiman in the box who duly headed it in. However towards the dying minutes, Wellington found the back of the net to give Hoffenheim a point.

Bayer Leverkusen 1:1 Eintracht

Bayer’s hopes for European competition are seemingly coming to an end. Eintracht took the lead through Alex Meier but Bayer rescued a point via Michael Kadlec following a Barnetta corner.

Table-Topping Results

Arminia Bielefeld 0:3 Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg had Diego Benaglio to thank after the keeper made some wonderful saves from the Arminen. The game was definitely not as one-sided as the scoreline suggests.

The first goal came via a counter attack. Grafite passed in for Gentner who duly scored. The second goal was Grafite’s 18th of the season as he shot from six yards out. The third was from German under-21 international Ashkan Dejagah following a corner.

Bayern 1:0 Karlsruher SC

When Bayern played Karlsruher last time, the scoreline was the same. Miro Klose had scored the winner that match. This time it was Jose Sosa. The goal was quite similar to Miro Klose. Sosa did just enough to beat his marker after excellent work from Ribery.

The game again proved that Lahm has excellent vision and Ze Roberto cannot leave Europe just yet. He is excellent and will be sorely missed if he leaves.

Bayern’s defence wasn’t convincing, however. Schweinsteiger was busy defending while Ze Roberto had to clear the ball off the line. Demichellis and Lucio were never convincing from set pieces. I really don’t understand what is happening to Demichellis these days.

Schalke 1:2 Hamburg

A gaffe from Manuel Neuer saw Paulo Guerrero take the lead for Hamburg. Guerrero doubled the lead but Schalke got one back late through Jefferson Farfan after a cross from Kevin Kuranyi. A personal message for Schalke fans: It’s time to kick Rutten out!

Match of the Week

Stuttgart 2:0 Hertha

Markus Babel is definitely not the kind of person to see his team lose two consecutive matches. The fact that Stuttgart beat the leaders and controlled Voronin just shows Babel’s attitude. A goal from Jeronimo Cacau followed by a Khedira header was enough to make sure that Hertha’s lead at the top is cut to just one point. Personally, I am pleased!

Other Matches

Energie Cottbus 0:2 Köln

The goals came via Milivoje Novakovic. He is upto 14 goals this season. The first goal was scored from a rebound from Petit’s shot and the second was a penalty. Looks like Prinz Poldi will have competition when he comes to Köln!

The top five this week are:

1. Hertha Berlin – 49
2. Bayern Munchen- 48 (GD:22)
3. Vfl Wolfsburg- 48 (GD: 22)
4. Hamburger SV- 48
5. Hoffenheim -44

News

Jose Sosa’s strike for Bayern was his first goal of the season while Grafite is now jointly atop of the Bundesliga's top scorer table alongside Vedad Ibisevic with 18.

As you all know, Bayern have been drawn against Barcelona in the Champions League. They play the second leg at home in the Allianz Arena and the first leg in the Nou Camp.

Hamburg and Werder play their first legs at home in the UEFA Cup and have been drawn against Man City and Udinese consecutively. If they both win, the first semi will be an all German affair while if they both lose, it will be another Anglo-Italian tie.

Bayern have refused to buy another striker and will be playing next season with Klose, Toni, Olic and Mueller.

Franck Ribery lashed out at Karlsruher’s Andrea Gorlitz and has asked for more protection from the Bundesliga referees.

Germany will be without the services of Klose, Frings and Friedrich in their World Cup Qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Wales. They are also awaiting fitness test results of Rene Adler and Piotr Trochowski. Germany lost two consecutive home friendlies and will be looking to win the qualifiers.

Sami Khedira is going to be sidelined for Stuttgart who are trying to convince Jens Lehmaan not to retire.

I will finish up here. Hertha have lost and that means I can sleep peacefully—at least until the fourth of April when Bayern play Wolfsburg!