Buckle up, Bundesliga enthusiasts! It’s that time of the week when we recap all the action from the German top flight.
Bundesliga Matchday 13 delivered all the usual spills and thrills to light up the weekend.
FC Cologne beat Darmstadt 98 to temporarily climb out of the dreaded relegation zone and gain some respite after a torrid start to the season.
RB Leipzig stumbled back into the title race with a win over Heidenheim after topsy-turvy results, while Borussia Monchengladbach shocked Hoffenheim with a 2-1 win.
Dive into this week’s Bundesliga Weekly for the inside scoop on these thrilling encounters!
RB Leipzig climb into the top four with nervy win over Heidenheim
Home side Leipzig stormed into early control against Heidenheim, and they got rewarded for their efforts as they won a penalty, which Lois Openda expertly dispatched for his tenth league goal.
Die Roten Bullen doubled their lead through Yussuf Poulsen, who made it two goals in two Bundesliga games.
Heidenheim pulled one back through a corner that talisman Jan-Nicklas Beste floated to the back post, and Benedikt Gimber slammed the ball home from close range.
Leipzig had several chances to make their lead more comfortable, but Openda missed three massive opportunities, hitting the woodwork once.
Gimber missed a late chance that could have made Leipzig rue their profligacy, but his dinked shot went over the bar. Leipzig climb to fourth while Heidenheim are 14th.
Gladbach stun Hoffenheim in 2-1 win
TSG Hoffenheim’s away form has been one of their strongest suits and talking points in the Bundesliga this season.
However, they suffered a shock loss against Gerardo Seaone’s Borussia Monchengladbach at Borussia Park. Die Fohlen are looking imperious and climbing up the table rapidly.
Gladbach took the lead against the run of play as Ozan Kabak brought down Alassane Plea, who swept home the resulting penalty in the 58th minute.
Hoffenheim refused to stay down and responded almost immediately. Two minutes after Plea’s goal, Wout Weghorst steered in a header to make matters level.
Gladbach netted the winner through midfielder Nathan Ngoumou, who tapped in a delicious cross to earn his side all three points.
They stay tenth, while Hoffenheim are in sixth after failing to win any of their last four league games.
Bayer Leverkusen rescue late draw against Dortmund
The most anticipated fixture of the week saw Bayer Leverkusen take on Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena in a match that ended 1-1.
Despite Leverkusen dominating from the start, an early strike by Julian Ryerson hinted at a potential upset on home turf.
Dortmund held their ground throughout the first half, with a disallowed Florian Wirtz goal being the closest Leverkusen came to levelling the score.
Leverkusen persisted with their offensive assault after the break, pushing for an equaliser.
Dortmund defended resolutely, but the hosts’ persistence paid off.
Patrick Schick’s return from injury proved impactful, as he squared an assist for Victor Boniface to tap in the equaliser in the 79th minute.
The Nigerian international salvaged a point for Leverkusen, maintaining their unbeaten status but opening the door for Bayern Munich to join them at the Bundesliga summit.
Stuttgart continue immaculate start with 2-0 win over Werder Bremen
Stuttgart strikers Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav are two of the most in-form strikers in Europe right now, and they scored a goal in either half to give Sebastian Hoeness’ men a comfortable 2-0 win over Werder Bremen.
The Guinea international had the first chance of the clash, but Werder goalkeeper Michael Zetterer saved his cheeky attempt.
Werder tried to counter, but Stuttgart’s press stifled them, and the ball returned to Stuttgart skipper Waldemar Anton, who forced another save from Zetterer. The keeper couldn’t steer it away, allowing Undav to pounce and open the scoring in the 17th minute.
Guirassy dragged another shot across the face of the Werder goal before the half-time break and flashed another wide after the restart, both set up by the dancing Silas Katompa Mvumpa.
The former Rennes striker eventually got on the scoresheet and ensured the Stuttgart win with a cheekily dispatched penalty.
Die Schwaben continue to fly high and remain in third place, while Werder are 13th after failing to win any of their last four games.
Bayern versus Union Berlin was postponed due to extreme snowfall in Bavaria.
Around the Bundesliga grounds
VfL Bochum secured a 3-1 win over Wolfsburg and picked up their first Bundesliga home victory of the season.
Patrick Osterhage opened the scoring in the 20th minute, crashing into the Wolfsburg box, dropping his man and rifling a shot beyond keeper and captain Koen Casteels.
The Wolves tried to find an equaliser but went two goals down on 40 when Bernardo headed in Kevin Stoger’s corner.
Wolfsburg gave themselves hope before the half-time break when Jonas Wind showed impressive link-up play to turn away from pressure and set up Mattias Svanberg, who finished superbly for his first goal of the season.
With momentum going for Wolfsburg, they pressured Bochum to get an equaliser but failed, and Bochum’s Christopher Antwi-Adjei struck late to settle the nerves.
Die Unabsteigbaren collected all three points to extend their unbeaten run to five games.
They are in 12th while Wolfsburg returned to losing ways after snapping their five-game winless streak against Leipzig last week.
Davie Selke’s second-half strike was enough for FC Cologne to beat Darmstadt 98 and grab only their second win of the season.
The hard-fought match sparked into life towards the end as both sides had chances, but Koln took all three points to steer themselves out of the relegation zone and up to 15th.
Darmstadt dropped to 16th in the table after failing to win any of their last six games.
Freiburg secured a dramatic smash-and-grab 1-0 victory against Mainz 05 at the MEWA Arena to go eighth in the Bundesliga standings.
Mainz were wasteful in front of goal and Freiburg capitalised on their fewer chances, with Austrian attacker Michael Gregoritsch sealing the win after hitting the post twice.
Christian Streich’s side successfully held their lead with grit and determination, clinching a crucial three points on the road and handing Jan Siewert his first defeat as Mainz boss after a win and two draws.
Die Nullfunfer remain trapped in the relegation zone, struggling to push out and avoid the dangerous drop.
Augsburg claimed a deserved 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt to stretch their unbeaten run under new boss Jess Thorup to six games.
Ermedin Demirovic cut out a careless pass in Frankfurt’s build-up before setting up Finnish midfielder Fredrik Jensen, who rifled home from close range.
Demirovic’s poor control led to a chance for Iago after the break, and the Brazilian curled a brilliant effort in. Demirovic should have made things more comfortable for Augsburg but missed a penalty.
Augsburg’s Finn Dahmen then squeezed a cross behind his keeper for an own goal, but Die Fuggerstadter (9th) held on for a win over Die Adler (7th).
Player of the Week – Mats Hummels
Hummels has been in terrific form and performed impressively in the clash between Leverkusen and Dortmund.
He has been a giant at the back for Edin Terzic’s side and won eight of his 14 duels against Die Werkself. Hummels made four interceptions and four tackles while blocking two shots and making 13 clearances.
The 34-year-old was excellent on the ball, completing 80% of his passes and six out of nine long balls. The BVB legend held his own against one of the most dangerous strikers in Europe.
Fixtures to look out for on Matchday 14
We are already looking forward to the tasty fixtures for next week, and it won’t get more exciting than Dortmund versus Leipzig.
Die Roten Bullen will look to break down BVB’s newfound defensive resilience. Leverkusen travel to face high-flying Stuttgart in another colossal clash that could have a bearing on the title race.
Frankfurt welcome champions Bayern to the Deutsch Bank Park, and Koln take on Mainz in a crucial bottom-of-the-table clash.
Bundesliga News
- TSG Hoffenheim major voting rights holder Dietmar Hopp transfers his voting rights to the club. Hoffenheim now comply with the 50+1 rule.
- Controversial (and racist) former Schalke board member Clemens Tonnies wants to bring in current Union Berlin sporting director Oliver Ruhnert.
- Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich extend their contracts at Bayern until 2025.
- Simon Rolfes extends his contract at Bayer Leverkusen until 2028.
- Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz favours a move to Bayern over PL interest.
- Jeremie Frimpong wants to leave Leverkusen in the summer – the 22-year-old has a €40m release clause.
- Manchester United are interested in misfiring Timo Werner.
- Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich to fight for Fenerbahce right-back Ferdi Kadıoglu.
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