24th matchday
Berlin (dpa) – Accompanied by many solidarity actions for the Ukrainian population, football was played in the Bundesliga. FC Bayern Munich took another big step towards the championship, while Borussia Dortmund is under even greater pressure on Sunday.
Solidarity:In all stadiums there was silence for a minute before each kick-off. Dismay at the war following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also gripped the Bundesliga. Flags in the Ukrainian national colors blue and yellow could be seen in the fan blocks, Bayern’s world footballer Robert Lewandowski ran out with a captain’s armband in these colors. “STOP WAR. WE AGAINST WAR” was written on a banner held up by the players in the SpVgg Greuther Fürth stadium.
first:It took Bayern a long time to secure victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Joker Leroy Sané (71st) scored to make it 1-0. Of course, the people of Munich were satisfied. “A good step” was the performance, said coach Julian Nagelsmann. The strong Joshua Kimmich said: “The way today was right.” But there is still “a long way to go to the championship. We have to do our homework.” Especially since pursuer Dortmund, in contrast to the record champions, is free from the burden of European cup games.
third party:After the second-best start to the year in the club’s history, they were pretty happy at Bayer Leverkusen. Would it be a disappointment to end the season without qualifying for the Champions League? “Definitely. We shouldn’t focus on the end, but on every game and collect the points. In the end, we want to get into the Champions League,” said defender Jonathan Tah after the third-placed team beat Arminia Bielefeld 3-0. The derby against 1. FC Köln and the two round of 16 games in the Europa League at and against Atalanta Bergamo follow within twelve days.
Aggravation:Both the Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfL Wolfsburg players were dissatisfied after the 2-2 draw. VfL newcomer Max Kruse complained about a penalty that was not given. “I don’t know what they’re doing in the basement,” said the 33-year-old on Sky, meaning the video assistants. The Gladbachers were not recognized for the supposed winning goal in injury time. “I have to compliment the team on how they put it all away. They fought against all odds,” said Borussia coach Adi Hütter.
Keep up:Once again, the pros from Hertha BSC disappeared into the dressing room as losers after a Bundesliga game. “The result is brutal,” said sporting director Fredi Bobic on Sky after the 0: 3 at SC Freiburg. On Sunday, the Berliners could slip to the relegation place. The decision in Freiburg was made late – the sports club benefited from two late goals and is on course for the Champions League. “The substitutes helped us towards the end,” said Maximilian Eggestein.
Complex:It also works without Max Kruse. This realization should have brought relief to Union Berlin fans. After three games without a goal without the striker who moved to VfL Wolfsburg, the Berliners scored three goals in the 3-1 win against FSV Mainz 05. “Efficiency, that’s football sometimes. We had a lot of chances in the last few games, but didn’t score any goals. But we were very efficient today,” said coach Urs Fischer on Sky. The cup quarter-finals on Tuesday against second division 1. FC St. Pauli can come.
Draw:This 1:1 did not help any club. SpVgg Greuther Fürth did not come much closer to the relegation place, 1. FC Köln missed the leap to sixth place. FC coach Steffen Baumgart didn’t want to appear dissatisfied. “As expected, it was very close and very competitive. In the end, the result is okay for both of them,” he said on Sky. “Both gave it their all and in the end it was a draw. We always wanted more, but today we couldn’t.”
injured:Borussia Dortmund’s concerns are growing. After the end of the second round of the Europa League, BVB are missing this Sunday (17.30 / DAZN) in the game at FC Augsburg and captain Marco Reus and right-back Thomas Meunier are injured. And top scorer Erling Haaland is not returning yet. “It’s a vague story, it can take a few more days,” said coach Marco Rose about the Norwegian’s injury.
On Sunday afternoon (3.30 p.m. / DAZN) RB Leipzig has the chance to return to a Champions League place with a win at VfL Bochum. Leipzig reached the round of 16 in the Europa League on Thursday with a 3-1 win at Real Sociedad San Sebastián.