12 goals in 3 games
©IMAGO
Bayer Leverkusen remains on FC Bayern’s heels in the Bundesliga title fight. Coach Xabi Alonso’s team won a hard-fought game against 1. FSV Mainz 05 1-0 (0-0). In the BayArena, which was sold out with 30,210 spectators, Alejandro Grimaldo scored (48th minute) for the reigning champions and cup winners.
With the victory, last season’s double winner moved within one point of the league leaders from Munich. As a surprise team in the first half of the season, Mainz remains within reach of the international places with 28 points. Bo Henriksen’s team confirmed for a long time why they are rightly considered favorites after victories against Bayern, Dortmund and Frankfurt this season.
Marmoush scores: Eintracht Frankfurt turns game against SC Freiburg
The top goalscorer Omar Marmoush, who was courted by Manchester City, gave Eintracht Frankfurt an ideal end to the first half of the season and has the Hessians dreaming of the Champions League. In what may have been his last appearance in the Eintracht jersey, the 25-year-old scored the important opening goal against SC Freiburg in a clear 4-1 (1-1) win and thus scored for the 15th time in this Bundesliga season.
Both the 33 points and the 15 goals are club records for a Frankfurt first half of the season. In front of 56,500 spectators, Marmoush also prepared Robin Koch’s goal (43rd) before his own goal (65th minute). Hugo Ekitiké (71st) and Nnamdi Collins (82nd) followed up. Freiburg’s lead through Ritsu Doan (37th) became a statistical side note.
Wind sets the tone early: VfL Wolfsburg clearly defeats Gladbach
VfL Wolfsburg has stormed into a Europa League place. There was a clear 5:1 (1:0) win against direct competitor Borussia Mönchengladbach. Jonas Wind scored the first goal in the third minute with a penalty kick. The Danish striker made it 2-0 with a heel to his compatriot Joakim Maehle (60′).
Captain Maximilian Arnold (75th) and substitute Lukas Nmecha (84th/87th) scored three more goals in front of 20,519 spectators. Shio Fukuda scored a consolation goal in the 89th minute.
The Gladbachers had completely dominated the first half, but didn’t do anything with it. After a hopeful first half of the season, they started the new year with zero points and a meaningless goal in the first two games.