Five things we learned from Bundesliga this week ft. the 'Ghost' of Gotze
In a weekend that saw the world turn its attention to the Bundesliga more so than ever for the now-well-regarded Der Klassiker between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, the league itself continued to march on with the same abundance of drama and sheer excitement that followed the Bavarian outfit’s victory on Saturday.
Although only one side in the bottom three suffered defeat, each side remained in position, while all else aside from Pep Guardiola’s defending champions saw their position in the league either jump or fall in the table.
Here’s your weekly dose of Bundesliga brilliance.
Augsburg finally show they are turning the corner
Following a customary 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich before the international break, Augsburg went in to this weekend’s showdown with Hoffenheim with something to prove. Prior to this game they’d lost four of their last five, and although they were sitting comfortably above the relegation zone, such form had to be addressed.
Alas, it was Hoffenheim who arrived when they did in the worst of situations and with a clear win in sight Markus Weinzierl’s men can now look at their form – with two victories either side of a hard game against Bayern in the past three game – with some ease, as they slowly push some distance between them and the bottom three.
Bayer Leverkusen move into second spot
Aside from Bayern, the biggest winners of Dortmund’s defeat on Saturday was of course Sami Hyypia’s Leverkusen side who were able to split the two sides at the top of the league and victoriously move into second place.
Yet their gasp at three points away to Hertha Berlin was exactly that as the home side will undoubtedly regroup at training this week wondering how they weren’t able to take anything from the game at all, considering the amount of time they spent camped in the Bayer half and the number of efforts which their opponents peppered at goal.
Gladbach continue to impress
Gladbach managed to put a three point cushion between themselves and pursuing fifth placed Woflsburg this weekend in the most peculiar manner as they beat Stuttgart by two goals to nil.
Beating Stuttgart is hardly a surprising feat, yet the win itself was the Foals second away win in a row – the only two of their season thus far – and a golden example of Lucein Favre’s team are truly coming of age in this campaign, and cementing themselves as the fourth best side – at home and now away – in Germany right now.
Hamburg return to winning ways
Following back to back defeats to top four contenders Leverkusen and Gladbach before the international break, it was down to Bret Van Marwijk’s side to regain the form of their earlier honeymoon period.
A goal from 19-year-old Hakan Calhanoglu, who was playing for the absent Rafael van der Vaart, and two others, proved enough for Hamburg as they won 3-1, picked up their second win in five games, and condemned Hannover to their sixth straight away defeat of the season.
Bayern botch Dortmund’s hopes of winning Bundesliga
This weekend will undoubtedly be remembered in future references to this campaign as the matchday that saw Guardiola beat Klopp, Bayern beat Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion, and potentially the very match that ensured the title for the Bavarian champions.
With a decimated squad Dortmund were never expected to win this match, yet the manner in which they lost it – to an opening goal from Mario Gotze followed by two rather routine finishes from Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller – will sting for most fans as they come to terms with another season as second best in the Bundesliga.