Week 14 of the Bundesliga season served a full plate of drama, upsets and breathtaking displays.
From Eintracht Frankfurt’s historic demolition of Bayern Munich to VfB Stuttgart’s pulsating draw with table-toppers Bayer Leverkusen, it was an exciting weekend of German top-flight action.
We delve into the narratives and performances that defined the week, exploring the tactical battles, individual heroics, and surprise outcomes that left fans breathless.
Hoffenheim overpower Bochum 3-1 to secure sixth place
TSG Hoffenheim ended their four-match winless run with a comprehensive victory over VfL Bochum at the PreZero Arena.
Wout Weghorst forced Bochum defender Erhan Masovic into scoring an own goal in the 32nd minute before Hoffenheim talisman and all-time top scorer Andrej Kramaric celebrated a terrific performance with his team’s second goal before the half-time break.
Ihlas Bebou came on and bagged the third before Goncalo Paciencia grabbed a consolation goal with a terrific volley and a contender for goal of the season.
TSG hold on to sixth place on the Bundesliga standings while Bochum’s five-game unbeaten streak comes to an end. Die Unabsteigbaren are four points above the relegation zone but must remain cautious lest they slip.
Leipzig upset Dortmund 3-2 in thrilling encounter
Many Bundesliga experts expected fireworks when RB Leipzig rolled into town to take on Borussia Dortmund.
However, in their wildest imaginations, they would not have expected to see the experienced and in-form Mats Hummels pick up a red card after only ten minutes.
Lois Openda had broken free, and the BVB captain brought him down as he was about to pull the trigger.
With Dortmund a man down and deflated, Leipzig took the lead as Ramsy Bensebaini inadvertently headed in David Raum’s corner for an own goal.
Dortmund found a way back into the game just before the half-time whistle when Niklas Sule fired in following a sweet set-piece routine.
Gregor Kobel made several saves to keep his side in the game but could do nothing about Christoph Baumgartner’s second-half strike to restore Leipzig’s lead.
The Austrian took his time to adapt to Leipzig, but he fits in nicely alongside Openda and Xavi Simmons. He hit the bar before Yussuf Poulsen scored his third in as many games for Leipzig.
The big target-man shimmied a BVB defender out of his way before finishing deftly to make it 3-1 in the 90th minute.
It should have been light work to see this game out, but Niclas Fullkrug’s header made it a nervy ending for Leipzig.
Eintracht Frankfurt stun listless Bayern Munich
Frankfurt were on a five-game winless run but found the resolve to claim a famous 5-1 win over Bayern.
Die Rekordmeister were second best in almost every duel. Noussair Mazraoui was a culprit, and his error led to Omar Marmoush’s opener in the 12th minute.
The Egyptian has been filling in nicely as a false nine, adeptly replacing Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani. He continued his terrific season with another superb performance against the champions.
Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe was tearing the targeted Mazraoui a new one. He skipped past the Moroccan full-back and Kim Min-jae before forcing an effort through the tiniest gap and Manuel Neuer’s hands to make it 2-0.
Marmoush turned provider five minutes later, setting up Hugo Larsson for the third.
Bayern hit back before the break as Joshua Kimmich arrowed a shot into the net, but Frankfurt’s onslaught continued in the second half.
Tuchel subbed the tortured Mazraoui, but Konrad Laimer didn’t do much better as Frankfurt burst down his flank before Fared Chaibi crossed for Ebimbe to net his second early after the restart.
Angsar Knauff completed the historic rout after finishing an otherworldly touch from Marmoush.
Bayer Leverkusen stumble in Stuttgart as Bundesliga title race heats up
Bayer Leverkusen travelled to face VfB Stuttgart knowing that a win would send them six points clear at the top of the table following Bayern’s slip.
However, their opponents were no slouches and started the game with intent. Serhou Guirassy tested Lukas Hradecky twice, and Christian Fuhrich forced the Finnish keeper into another close-range save.
Fuhrich would eventually break the deadlock in the 40th minute, finishing a beautiful move that left him with the goal gaping.
Leverkusen equalised immediately after the second-half break as Victor Boniface skipped away from his marker before crossing for partner-in-crime Florian Wirtz to score.
Both sides had half chances to win the tie but shared the spoils. Leverkusen sit at the summit, four points clear from Bayern, who have a game in hand.
Die Schwaben keep their place in third, five points away from Die Werkself.
Around the grounds
Michael Gregoritsch scored the only goal as Freiburg smashed and grabbed a 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena.
The Wolves had the better chances and probably deserved a win for their efforts, but Christian Streich’s side held on to take all three points.
Freiburg stay eighth and three positions ahead of Wolfsburg, who will be rueing their missed opportunities.
Werder Bremen ended their miserable run of four games without a win as they beat Augsburg 2-0.
Phillip Tietz had an excellent chance to give Augsburg the lead after one of the funniest errors you’ll ever see on a football pitch from Bremen goalkeeper Michael Zetterer, but the striker somehow sent his finish wide with the goal at his mercy.
Tietz’s erratic finishing constantly sends his manager’s blood pressure through the roof.
Bremen had two excellent chances but found it hard to beat Finn Dahmen in the Augsburg goal before Niklas Stark eventually broke his resolve, heading in a cross from Marvin Ducksch.
Ducksch then secured the three points for his side, powering in a cross from Mitchell Weiser. The River Islanders have put some space between themselves and the relegation zone in 12th place, while Augsburg stay in ninth.
Heidenheim are five points clear from the drop zone after a double from captain Patrick Mainka earned them three points against Darmstadt.
Jan Schoppner opened the scoring for Heidenheim, heading in a free-kick from Jan-Niklas Beste before Tim Skarke equalised in the second half, collecting a lovely pass from Fabian Holland and finishing cooly.
The Heidenheim-born Skarke pegged his former side back and forced an own goal to give his side a 2-1 lead.
Mainka flicked in another Beste set-piece on 69 and another two minutes later to give his side the win.
Beste recorded a hat-trick of assists to take his tally to five goals and seven assists for FCH. Heidenheim move up to 13th place while Darmstadt are scrambling in 17th.
Union Berlin halted Borussia Monchengladbach’s two-game winning streak in a 3-1 victory for Nenad Bjelica’s side.
The Croatian manager has won his first Bundesliga game since taking over from Urs Ficher after two draws.
Kevin Volland converted a penalty before a fantastic strike from Benedict Hollerbach made it two. Mikkel Kaufmann ensured three points after a mistake at the base of midfield allowed him to pounce.
Gladbach talisman Alassane Plea pulled one back, but it was too little too late as Union took all three points and moved into 15th position.
Relegation contenders FC Cologne and Mainz 05 faced off and unsurprisingly played out a draw at the RheinEnergieStadion.
Koln keeper Marvin Schwabe saved Ludovic Ajorque’s second-half attempt, and it was the closest either team came to scoring. Cologne stay 16th, while the 05ers are a point and a place below.
Player of the Week
After their demolition of Die Rekordmeister, a Frankfurt player deserves to be on the podium today.
It was hard to choose between the dazzling Omar Marmoush, the midfield engine Hugo Larsson and brace-bagging Ebimbe. We went with the latter after his double and overall performance.
Ebimbe had Mazraoui on toast all day and forced the Moroccan full-back to an early shower.
Laimer came on for Mazraoui, and Ebimbe’s movement and speed also terrified the Austrian midfielder deputising at the back.
Ebimbe deserves massive plaudits and will hope to kick on from here following his move from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Matchday 15 action to watch out for
Bayern will be desperate to bounce back from their humiliating loss to Frankfurt and host Stuttgart next week in what will surely be the match of the round.
The Eagles hope to claim another massive scalp when they travel to Leverkusen. Leipzig versus Hoffenheim should also produce fireworks while BVB take on Augsburg.
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