FC Bayern got back at least a little at SC Freiburg for losing the cup during the week. Four days after the quarterfinal knockout the record German champions won their Bundesliga away game in Freiburg 1-0 (0-0) and defended their lead in the table.
However, Bayern’s lead over Borussia Dortmund is still only two points, because BVB won 2-1 (1-0) against pursuers Union Berlin. With a little effort, Dortmund prevented the third setback within a week after the league defeat in Munich and the quarter-finals in the DFB Cup at RB Leipzig. Union in third is already five points behind BVB. RB Leipzig is new fourth after a 1-0 (1-0) win at Hertha BSC. Bayer Leverkusen meanwhile continued their winning streak in a 3-1 (2-0) win over Eintracht Frankfurt and pushed the Hessians, who were still weakening in the Bundesliga, from the sixth place in the table. 1. FC Köln took a big step towards staying up in the league with a 3-1 (2-1) win at FC Augsburg and swapped places with FCA in the table. FSV Mainz 05 and newly promoted Werder Bremen parted ways 2:2 (0:0) in a wild final phase.
Bayern holds the top of the table
Bayern pushed for the Freiburg goal from the start, but initially missed many chances. They were lucky at the other end when Ritsu Doan hit the post just before the half-time whistle. After the break, Matthijs de Ligt tried from a distance, his dream goal ensured Bayern victory (51st).
Dortmund tried to make amends from the start. The opening goal by Donyell Malen (28th) was more than deserved. National player Niklas Süle cut a bad figure when Kevin Behrens equalized (61′). Substitute Youssoufa Moukoko (79′) finally scored the winning goal for the hosts.
The hosts dominated the game in Leverkusen and deservedly won with goals from Amine Adli (10′), Moussa Diaby (34′) and Sardar Azmoun (90′). For Eintracht it was only enough for the interim 1: 2 by Djibril Sow (74th).
Turbulent final phase in Bremen and Mainz
The Cologne team got off to an excellent start in Augsburg and were already 2-0 up after 15 minutes thanks to goals from Ellyes Skhiri and Eric Martel. After the 1-2 goal by Ruben Vargas (29th), FCA drew new hope, but Linton Maina gave FC a two-goal lead again after an hour.
Ludovic Ajorquen gave Mainz the lead in the 85th minute, but Bremen’s Jens Stage (87th) responded with a quick 1-1. Nelson Weiper (90.3) gave Mainz the lead again, but Niclas Füllkrug (90.5) equalized again for Bremen. Three days after reaching the DFB Cup semifinals, Leipzig also won the away game at Hertha BSC with 1 :0 (1:0). Midfielder Amadou Haidara scored the winning goal in the 39th minute, which was ruled valid by referee Deniz Aytekin after viewing the video images. Previously, coach Marco Rose’s team had lost twice in a row in the league. The Berliners will remain on the relegation rank with 22 points at least until Sunday evening.
