Schick decides the Rhenish derby
©IMAGO
With an irresistible comeback, champions Bayern Munich averted an impending embarrassment at 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the dress rehearsal for the Champions League semi-final. Three days before the cracking duel at PSG, the star ensemble from the Isar won 4:3 (0:3) thanks to a significant improvement after the break and thus avoided their second defeat of the season in the Bundesliga.
For only the second time in the club’s history, the Munich team converted a three-goal deficit at half-time into a win. They had previously achieved this feat in 1976 against VfL Bochum (6:5).
In front of 33,305 spectators, Dominik Kohr (15th minute), Paul Nebel (29th) and Sheraldo Becker (45th + 2) scored for Mainz before the break. Nicolas Jackson (53rd), Michael Olise (73rd), Jamal Musiala (80th) and Harry Kane (83rd) turned things around after the change.
In the relegation battle: Heidenheim can hope, St. Pauli is reeling
1. FC Heidenheim can continue to dream of a last-minute rescue. At the same time, the bottom of the table increased the relegation worries of their direct competitor from Hamburg with their 2-0 (1-0) win against FC St. Pauli, who are now only four points ahead of Heidenheim.
Budu Siwsiwadze scored in front of 15,000 spectators after just three minutes and Eren Dinkci made everything clear in the final phase (82nd). As a result, FCH extended the opponent’s form crisis. St. Pauli is waiting as 16th in the table. In the fight to stay in the league, they have been on a three-pointer since the end of February and are under enormous pressure with three games still to play.
VfL Wolfsburg cannot take advantage of St. Pauli’s mistake
Even against favorite opponents Borussia Mönchengladbach, VfL Wolfsburg did not manage their second home win in 2026 and thus missed the jump to the relegation place. The VW Club couldn’t get past a 0-0 draw in the basement duel against the team from the Lower Rhine and remains second to last in the table despite the defeat of sixteenth-placed St. Pauli in Heidenheim. The Gladbachers, on the other hand, collected another point to stay in the league and are six points clear of the relegation place with three game days before the end of the season. However, they lost Jens Castrop, who was shown a red card in stoppage time.
In the past, Wolfsburg were able to secure points against Gladbach. In its Bundesliga history, VfL celebrated the most wins (25) and also the most home successes (16) against Borussia. On Saturday, the overall performance of coach Dieter Hecking’s team was not enough to secure the all-important three points in front of 27,947 spectators.
Happy victory in Cologne: Bayer Leverkusen maintains its chance at the premier class
Bayer Leverkusen has preserved its chances of qualifying for the Champions League and has allowed a strong 1. FC Köln to continue to tremble in the relegation battle for the time being. Three days after losing the cup semi-final against FC Bayern Munich, coach Kasper Hjulmand’s team happily won 2-1 (1-0) in the Rhenish derby.
In front of 50,000 spectators in the Cologne stadium, double goalscorer Patrik Schick initially gave Leverkusen the lead with a penalty (43rd minute) and then followed up in the 52nd minute. The Cologne goal by joker Luca Waldschmidt (78th) could no longer prevent the first defeat for René Wagner’s team after five unbeaten league games in a row.
Eintracht Frankfurt only saved with a draw – Augsburg saved early
In the fight for Europe, Eintracht Frankfurt is making slow progress under the criticized coach Albert Riera. FC Augsburg, on the other hand, is celebrating its non-relegation party. Coach Manuel Baum’s team was saved early after the 1:1 (1:0). The Augsburg team can now plan their 16th season in the German elite class.
However, the Frankfurters are no longer able to achieve much in the fight for seventh place in the table, which guarantees participation in an international competition in the coming season. Riera’s team is currently seventh, but Freiburg, with the same points, can have three points at Borussia Dortmund on Sunday (5:30 p.m.).
In front of 30,660 spectators, Anton Kade (44th minute) caused the Augsburg fans to cheer with a goal. Ritsu Doan, who was substituted at half-time (66th), at least saved Frankfurt a draw. Five points from the last five games are not enough for the Hessians in the final spurt. In stoppage time, Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen guided a long-range shot from Rasmus Kristensen over the crossbar as he made his comeback from injury.
