Union top of the table for the time being
Ovations for goal scorer Sébastien Haller, thunderous applause for the team – Borussia Dortmund’s upward trend in the new year continues. With a 5:1 (1:1) win over their neighbor SC Freiburg, who was tied on points, Edin Terzic’s team continued their race to catch up in the Bundesliga in an impressive manner in the fight for a place in the Champions League.
Thanks to Haller’s first goal (51st) after cancer surgery and chemotherapy for BVB and further goals from Nico Schlotterbeck (26th), Karim Adeyemi (48th), Julian Brandt (69th) and Giovanni Reyna (82nd), the goal consolidated Revierklub finished third in the table and drew level on points with title favorites FC Bayern Munich for at least one day. The early dismissal of Freiburg’s Kiliann Sildillia (17th) played into the hands of Borussia. On the other hand, Freiburg, who came to the equalizer in front of 81,365 spectators in the sold-out Signal Iduna Park through Lucas Höler (45th), have been struggling since the end of the winter break. After just one win in four attempts, they are sixth in the table. In addition, Christian Streich was unsuccessful in his eleventh game as SC coach in Dortmund. He also saw the red card in the 77th minute.
Big points in the relegation battle: VfL Bochum shoots down TSG Hoffenheim
VfL Bochum remain a force at home and have plunged the disastrous TSG Hoffenheim even deeper into the crisis. Bochum defeated coach André Breitenreiter’s team spectacularly 5:2 (3:0). After the tenth competitive game without a win, the 49-year-old is getting more and more in trouble. The ambitious TSG is in the middle of a relegation battle. Bochum drew level with Hoffenheim on points, both teams now have 19 points.
While the trend in the Breitenreiter team is clearly pointing downwards, it was the fifth home win in a row for the strong Bochum team. Philipp Hofmann (22nd), Philipp Förster (30th), Takuma Asano (40th), Erhan Masovic (69th) and Moritz Broschinski (83rd) scored the goals for VfL on Saturday in front of 23,700 mostly enthusiastic spectators. Christoph Baumgartner (49th) and Munas Dabbur (77th) scored the Hoffenheim goals.
Late goal by Jordan: Union Berlin initially overtakes FC Bayern
Thanks to striker Jordan, Union Berlin has expanded its flawless record this year and jumped back to the top of the Bundesliga for at least 24 hours. The 2:1 (1:0) against Mainz 05 on Saturday was the fifth win in the fifth competitive game in 2023 for the team of coach Urs Fischer in the table past Bayern Munich, who play in Wolfsburg on Sunday (5.30 p.m.).
In front of 22,012 spectators, Kevin Behrens gave the hosts the lead (32nd). Former Union player Marcus Ingvartsen equalized for coach Bo Svensson’s guests with a hand penalty (79′), before Jordan secured the victory for Berlin with his first goal since September (84′).
New with Berisha: The top scorers in the Bundesliga
Double pack Kolo Muani: Eintracht Frankfurt sovereign against Hertha BSC
Eintracht Frankfurt is still involved in the title fight and has increased Hertha BSC’s relegation concerns. The Hessians came to an unchallenged 3-0 (2-0) on Saturday and inflicted the fourth defeat on the Berliners in the new year. Randal Kolo Muani (21st/28th) advanced with his brace to become the match winner for Frankfurt, who have not been defeated for seven games, for whom Aurelio Buta (90th + 4) put the final point. With 35 points, Eintracht advanced to fifth place. The capital club remains penultimate in the table with 14 points and must improve significantly if the sporting struggle for survival is to be successful.
Zero number in Cologne: FC and RB Leipzig separate draw
RB Leipzig missed a great opportunity to put Bayern Munich under pressure in the title fight. In an intense and by no means boring game at 1. FC Köln, Leipzig couldn’t get more than 0-0. After all, the series of 18 competitive games in a row lasted without defeat. The gap to the new leader 1. FC Union is three points for RB in fourth place, the gap to Munich playing in Wolfsburg on Sunday is one point. With a success, the Saxons could have overtaken FC Bayern as well.
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