Welcome to the exhilarating rollercoaster ride that was Bundesliga Matchday 12 – a spectacle of football drama and remarkable comebacks.
The action kicked off with Bayern Munich narrowly overcoming FC Cologne, courtesy of Harry Kane’s early goal. The Bayern win set the stage for a captivating weekend.
Borussia Dortmund took centre stage in a pulsating six-goal thriller against Borussia Monchengladbach, displaying resilience after trailing by two goals.
Wolfsburg were clinical in front of goal and ended their winless streak by beating Marco Rose’s RB Leipzig.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen returned to the zenith with a decisive victory over Werder Bremen.
Buckle up as we dive into the highs and lows of Bundesliga Matchday 12!
Bayern Munich claim comfortable win over FC Cologne
Kane’s early goal was the difference for the champions as they edged past the Billy Goats following the return of Bundesliga action after another lifeless international break.
The Englishman was on hand to tap home from close range after Eric Maxim Chopou-Moting’s shot was cleared off the line.
Die Rekordmeister had multiple chances to double their lead but couldn’t find a way past Marvin Schwabe in the Koln goal.
Koln barely troubled Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal as they remain rooted to the bottom of the league log while Bayern are still second.
Dortmund triumph over Monchengladbach at the Signal Iduna Park
The game of the round was definitely Dortmund’s six-goal thriller against Gladbach. Die Fohlen took a two-goal lead within 28 minutes to scare Edin Terzic’s side.
Gladbach talisman Alassane Plea slipped in Rocco Reitz to finish before Manu Kone doubled the lead, showing excellent feet before belting a fantastic hit beyond BVB keeper Gregory Kobel.
BVB responded immediately as Julian Brandt stormed down the right flank before delivering a cross for Marcel Sabitzer to fire home on the volley.
Dortmund smelled blood and came forward with intent, and striker Niclas Fullkrug applied a deft finish to Jamie Bynoe-Gittens’ cross before the youngster scored before half-time to turn the tide.
Donyell Malen ensured the win in the dying minutes of the game as BVB kept their place in fourth position, while Gladbach are 11th.
Wolfsburg shock RB Leipzig to end their rut
Wolfsburg were more clinical in front of goal and defeated Leipzig at home to end their run of five winless games in the Bundesliga.
Jonas Wind netted his ninth Bundesliga goal of the season, finishing off Matthias Svanberg’s work to put the Wolves in the lead.
Leipzig goalkeeper Janis Blaswich needs to take a long look at himself for letting such a tame effort squirm into the net.
Leipzig responded after the break as Lois Openda squared the ball for Yussuf Poulsen to equalise.
However, Rogerio made sure of the win for Wolfsburg as Wind set him up before he blasted his effort into the back of the net.
Leipzig’s topsy-turvy form continues, but they are still in fifth, one point off fourth-place Dortmund, while Wolfsburg are up to eight.
Bayer Leverkusen return to the Bundesliga summit
Leverkusen returned to the top of the Bundesliga table as they cruised to their 11th win in 12 league matches.
They were not at their eye-catching best at the Weserstadion, but the visitors secured a decisive victory over Werder Bremen.
A stroke of misfortune helped Leverkusen into the lead as an own goal by Olivier Deman set the tone.
Jeremie Frimpong stormed into the Werder box to crash home his goal and double the lead before another clinical finish by the lethal Alejandro Grimaldo ensured all three points.
The win was a perfect 42nd birthday gift for Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso.
Will this be the year Die Werkself break their Neverkusen curse? We definitely hope so for the sake of the league.
Stuttgart down Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1
VfB Stuttgart earned a hard-fought win over Eintracht Frankfurt as Deniz Undav’s double put Die Adler to the sword.
Undav has deputised admirably in the absence of Serhou Guirassy and continued his stellar form with a double to ensure Sebastian Hoeness’ side stays third.
Undav scored in the first minute before an own goal from Waldemar Anton in his 175th Bundesliga game restored parity.
Maximilian Mittelstadt played an influential role in the opener and crossed for Undav’s header that won the game. Frankfurt remain seventh.
Around the Grounds
Union Berlin ended their nine-game losing streak in the Bundesliga as they drew 1-1 with rejuvenated Augsburg.
They trailed after Augsburg captain Ermedin Demirovic’s first-half penalty, and they faced another setback when Robin Knoche missed a penalty opportunity.
However, Knoche redeemed himself by providing the crucial assist for Kevin Volland’s first goal with Union, securing a late equaliser.
Augsburg maintain their unbeaten run under the guidance of Jess Thorup, and Die Fuggerstadter are up to tenth while Union stay 17th.
Freiburg and Darmstadt 98 played out a draw as Lucas Holer’s close-range strike cancelled out Mathias Honsak’s fortuitous goal in the first half.
The Voith-Arena witnessed a dour battle as Heidenheim and Bochum locked horns in a game with barely any clear-cut opportunities.
Both teams left with a point each as it ended 0-0 – a satisfactory outcome reflecting the stale affair on the field. Heidenheim remain a point and a place above 14th place Bochum.
The Bundesliga weekend closed with Hoffenheim and Mainz delivering a spellbinding match that sparked into life in the second half. Marco Richter gave Mainz the lead before left-back Robert Skov’s equaliser.
Mainz attacker Aymen Barkok missed several opportunities, including a penalty, while Richter rattled the crossbar twice.
Hoffenheim emerged with a point and will be happy with it after having their backs to the wall for most of the second half, leaving Mainz to rue missed chances.
Player of the Week
Undav’s double spearheaded Stuttgart to a statement win over Frankfurt, starting ahead of Guirassy this weekend. He is our player of the week.
The German striker bagged a pivotal double to earn his side all three points in a tightly-contested affair.
Undav has netted seven Bundesliga goals in only four starts for Die Schwaben since his loan move from Brighton & Hove Albion and will hope to get the nod ahead of his French counterpart when they welcome Werder to the MHPArena next week.
Bundesliga News
- Union Berlin sacked Urs Fischer during the international break after 13 straight defeats and hired Nenad Bjelica on Sunday.
- Bayern are considering a winter transfer window move for Raphael Varane and are monitoring Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
- Borussia Dortmund considering Erdin Terzic’s future after poor performances – demand £50 million for Arsenal & Newcastle target Julian Brandt.
- Before Union appointed Bjelica, they hired Marco Grote as interim coach, and assistant Marie-Louise Eta became the first female head coach or assistant in Bundesliga history.
- Bayern finally decided to pursue Max Eberl as sporting director.
- Fulham are interested in Wolfsburg striker Jonas Wind.
- Nottingham Forest & Newcastle are interested in Werder Bremen striker Marvin Ducksch.
- Manchester United were previously interested in a January move for Thomas Muller.
- RB Leipzig eye Granada starlet Bryan Zaragoza to replace Emil Forsberg.
- Eintracht Frankfurt reached a verbal agreement for Viktoria Plzen’s Rafiu Durosinmi.
Bundesliga matches to watch out for next week
The most anticipated match of round 13 action will be the showdown between top-of-the-table Leverkusen and fourth-place Dortmund.
Bayern will hope for Leverkusen to drop points while they welcome Union Berlin to the Allianz Arena. Hoffeinheim and Monchengladbach also makes for an exciting mid-table encounter.
High-flying Augsburg will be looking to continue their unbeaten run against a Frankfurt side licking their wounds following a painful defeat.
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