Bundesliga roundup: Wonderful Wirtz inspires Leverkusen to victory
Bayer Leverkusen - Bochum 2-0
Bayer Leverkusen’s recent run of four straight league wins had seen them climb the table rapidly and they showed no signs of slowing down when they were awarded a penalty eight minutes into the game. The penalty was awarded after Moussa Diaby was fouled in the box by Keven Schlotterbeck, and Edmond Tapsoba was the one to step up to take the penalty, rifling his spot kick into the roof of the net.
Florian Wirtz was making his first start since he tore his ACL in March and the Germany international almost marked the occasion with a goal shortly after the break, when he was denied by Manuel Riemann. However the youngster did play a part in his side's second goal of the game, as he chased down a loose ball before playing it to the near post where Adam Hložek was on hand to poke the ball through the legs of the goalkeeper.
Bochum desperately fought to get back into the game late on but were unable to make a breakthrough, as Leverkusen successfully defended their two-goal lead without too much difficulty, allowing them to extend their winning run to five games and close the gap with the top-six to seven points. Bochum still sit in 16th, but after their recent win streak their fight for survival is looking much more likely, with them being level on points with 15th placed Stuttgart.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
See stats from the match at Flashscore
Augsburg - B. Monchengladbach 1-0
In their first game since the Bundesliga's resumption, Augsburg were unfortunate to lose 4-3 at Borussia Dortmund having come from behind three times, and found themselves in the relegation playoff place ahead of this game. Daniel Farke’s team are at risk from being cut off from European contention after a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen, and looked to gain their first away win of the season here against the division’s worst home team.
Perhaps deterred by those respective records, it was a cautious start from both sides. The best chance early on came after some great footwork by Ermedin Demirović, but just like many of the Augsburg fans, his shooting boots had stayed at home. Mönchengladbach’s attempts to play an expansive game, with long driven passes from the defenders, did not translate into any meaningful breakthroughs at the other end of the pitch. The hosts looked to have put themselves in front late in the half when home-debutant Dion Drena Beljo capitalised on a spillage from Jonas Omlin, but a very narrow offside offence from Jeffrey Gouweleeuw meant the goal was disallowed.
Enrico Maaßen had his home side on the offensive after HT, and their passing, particularly in the final third, was much improved. Arne Maier went close for the Bavarian side, before Gouweleeuw got on to the end of a corner to fire a header against the Gladbach post, with Omlin helpless. Augsburg continued to push, and the introduction of Kelvin Yeboah was a turning point, as he drifted into the box and found Berisha, who deliciously flicked the ball past Omlin with the side of his boot to finally break the deadlock.
Farke’s side were unable to break down the Augsburg back four in the final minutes, and the three points went the way of the home side. The victory means that Augsburg advance out of the relegation places, whilst Gladbach fall further from the European places in the Bundesliga, still in search of that elusive first win on their travels.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mërgim Berisha (Augsburg)
See stats from the match at Flashscore
Freiburg - Frankfurt 1-1
Streich has downplayed Freiburg’s title prospects this season, maintaining that their goal for this campaign is simply “top-flight survival” with his side likely reeling from a thumping 6-0 defeat to Wolfsburg last time out. Tied on points in third place with opponents Frankfurt heading into this evening, this was a chance for the Breisgau Brazilians to bounce back, though their visitors came out firing in front of a bouncing crowd at the Europa-Park Stadion.
Freiburg’s backline handled the blows well before taking charge of proceedings - displaying just why they haven’t been beaten here in the Bundesliga since August. Considering their near total dominance for 30 minutes, it almost felt cruel when the reigning Europa League champions turned the game on its head on the brink of HT. Randal Kolo Muani expertly made space for himself on the edge of the box before bending an effort past Mark Flekken and marking his sixth goal contribution from his last four league outings.
With their manager’s words still ringing in their ears, it took just two second-half minutes for Freiburg to equalise. It was a goal that again displayed their aerial qualities as Matthias Ginter headed home amidst the chaos created by a barrage of crosses into the Frankfurt box. Boosted by the timing of that equaliser, the hosts resumed control, though the game remained up for grabs with both sides having sighters on goal.
Just after the hour mark, it was Michael Gregoritsch who spurned Freiburg’s biggest chance to take the lead when he inexplicably misguided his volleyed effort from just 10 yards out. This left the visitors rocking, with Freiburg laying siege to the Frankfurt net in a contest that felt like a cup tie due to the velocity and passion it was being played with.
Both sides flooded shirts forward in a frantic tussle for a winner, though it was likely the visitors who were more satisfied with the eventual draw considering that Freiburg had dominated much of the contest. A fascinating battle is developing, though it’s Frankfurt who maintain their position within the Bundesliga top four for now, whilst tonight’s hosts remain level on points but sixth in the standings.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt)
See stats from the match at Flashscore
Werder Bremen - Union Berlin 1-2
Still reeling from their damaging 7-1 defeat to FC Cologne at the weekend, Werder provided their supporters with the perfect response after 13 minutes, taking the lead against the odds. Glancing home a Marvin Ducksch whipped cross, Amos Pieper’s first goal in over 50 Bundesliga appearances looked as if it was going to put the European chasers back on track.
Instead, as had been the case against Cologne on Saturday, defensive errors would end up costing Werder, with goalscorer Pieper at fault for Union’s equaliser. Selling goalkeeper Jiří Pavlenka short with a misjudged backpass, Janik Haberer was on hand for the visitors to slide home into an empty net, restoring parity for Union just four minutes after falling behind. In need of a bit of luck, the home side would be handed a fortunate reprieve just before the break, when Sheraldo Becker’s wonder strike from 20 yards out was chalked off because of a handball in the build-up.
With the warning signs already there prior to the interval, Union’s eventual second, this time deemed legal by the referee, came as little surprise. Undone by a set piece, Kevin Behrens rose highest inside the box, converting Josip Juranović’s corner kick with relative ease. Juranović, who was making his first appearance for Union since joining from Celtic, had been delivering teasing balls into the penalty area all evening, with the Croatian eventually rewarded for his efforts.
The victory keeps Union in contention for UEFA Champions League football - a remarkable feat for a side that was promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history just four years ago. Continental football is by no means out of the equation for Werder, but after worrying back-to-back defeats, the River Islanders will need to improve their on-the-pitch performances throughout the rückrunde.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Sheraldo Becker (Union Berlin)