Winners and Losers from Bundesliga Week 8
After conquering Rome and a high-profile visit to see the Pope, Bayern Munich returned to Bundesliga business.
Pep Guardiola's charges managed to keep their four-point lead with a battling goalless draw at nearest challengers Borussia Monchengladbach. Manuel Neuer proved unbeatable.
Find out more winners and losers from Week 8, including another league loss for Jurgen Klopp's beleaguered Borussia Dortmund.
Losers: Borussia Dortmund
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The almost weekly Borussia Dortmund slide. And it is quite literally a slide for BVB following four league defeats in a row.
Saturday's tepid 1-0 home defeat against Hanover left Dortmund just one place and a single point off the relegation zone.
It is an unprecedented run of poor form of league form for Dortmund under Klopp, who have dominated all three Champions League games so far.
Thankfully for Dortmund, an easy game in Munich next weekend awaits.
"Borussia Dortmund lost again today and currently has more points in the UCL (9) than the Bundesliga (7).
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) October 25, 2014"
Winner: Roberto Firmino
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Roberto Firmino is an integral part of unfancied Hoffenheim's ascent to fourth spot in the Bundesliga.
Hoffenheim are also four points behind Bayern after Kevin Volland's 73rd-minute goal sealed a narrow home win against promoted Paderborn.
Firmino has extra cause to celebrate after his elevation to the Selecao squad for the forthcoming friendlies in Turkey and Austria.
Winner: Martin Harnik
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Austrian striker Martin Harnik and skipper Christian Gentner both scored twice in Stuttgart's roller-coaster ride in Frankfurt.
The Schwabians twice came from behind to edge a nine-goal thriller 5-4, despite conceding three goals in eight minutes as Eintracht took a 4-3 lead.
Harnik hit a first-half brace, while Gentner added two second-half goals, including the precious winner as Stuttgart move up to 14th following only their second win of the season.
What a game.
Loser: Robin Dutt
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Werder Bremen fired Robin Dutt after Friday's 1-0 home defeat to Cologne.
Winless Werder are enduring the worst start in club Bundesliga history and languish at the bottom of the table.
Viktor Skripnik will take over as head coach at the four-time Bundesliga champions.
Winners: Wolfsburg
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Wolfsburg cruised into third place in the table with a comfortable 3-0 home win over previously unbeaten Mainz.
The Volkswagen-backed club sit four points behind Bayern after a fourth league win on the trot.
Winner: Lucien Favre, Borussia Monchengladbach
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Swiss coach Lucien Favre produced a tactical masterclass as Borussia Monchengladbach pushed Bayern Munich all the way.
Favre set up his side perfectly to play Bayern on the counter-attack, and the system worked with aplomb.
If only Rome coach Rudi Garcia had the opportunity to watch this before the Champions League clash against Bayern...
Winner: Manuel Neuer
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An absolutely gobsmackingly good performance from the world's best goalkeeper.
Five brilliant saves from Neuer earned his side a point and preserved Bayern's proud unbeaten record.
