19th matchday
Berlin (dpa) – The hope for new excitement in the title fight of the Bundesliga didn’t even last 24 hours.
One day after Borussia Dortmund’s 5-1 win over SC Freiburg, FC Bayern restored their six-point lead at the top of the table with a 4-0 (2-0) win at 1. FC Köln. Behind them, Union Berlin is also involved in the fight for the premier class ranks, RB Leipzig continues to catch up. In addition, the 19th Bundesliga matchday on Saturday brought a special scene in Cologne and a debate in Gladbach.
“In the Box a Machine”
Torgarant: 300th Bundesliga goal, 16th hat-trick: FC Bayern can rely on Robert Lewandowski even in difficult Corona times with many failures. With three goals, the striker led Munich to a clear 4-0 win at 1. FC Köln. “We owe him a lot and are overjoyed because he’s a machine in the box,” said captain Manuel Neuer in praise of the attacker.
Bartering: It was one of the scenes from that match day. After the game in Cologne, Neuer and FC coach Steffen Baumgart swapped shirts and caps. The national keeper secured Baumgart’s flat cap, who in return received Neuer’s jersey. “The kepi is legendary, everyone would like to have it,” said Neuer.
“I’m glad I have her now.” And even for Baumgart, despite the well-deserved defeat, there was something nice about the day. “I’ve wanted a jersey from Manu for a long time,” he said with a smile and explained in the catacombs: “I’m someone who collects stuff like that.”
Sommer saves two penalties
Penalty killer: Saving two penalties in one game – Raphael Schäfer last managed that before Yann Sommer from Gladbach in the Bundesliga in 2014. However, it was not enough to win a point in the 2-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen. The defeat at Borussia also fueled the debate about national player Matthias Ginter, who only sat on the bench after his announced departure in the summer. Newcomer Marvin Friedrich played for him. “He made a decent debut, he’s a player for the future,” said coach Adi Hütter.
Negative series: At least not defeat number nine – but not the hoped-for step out of the crisis either. Florian Kohfeldt was not satisfied after his VfL Wolfsburg was 0-0 in a duel between two crisis clubs against Hertha BSC, despite winning the first point since mid-November.
“It annoys me enormously,” complained the coach about the missed victory, which he thought his team deserved. “In terms of performance, it was a step forward and yet it wasn’t a liberating blow.” Little has changed in the table situation: Wolfsburg could slip to 15th place on Sunday, Hertha is 13th.
Svensson suspended for fourth yellow card
Spectator role: Looking back, Bo Svensson himself rated the scene shortly before the final whistle in the 1-0 win over VfL Bochum as “not so ideal”. The FSV Mainz 05 coach saw a yellow card in the 88th minute for complaining. And that has consequences for Svensson: Since it was his fourth this season, he is suspended for one game and will not be able to play on the bench or in the dressing room at SpVgg Greuther Fürth next Saturday. Svensson described his warning as a misunderstanding, but admitted: “That’s no excuse. It’s not a yellow card, it’s four – that’s not ideal.”
Catching up thanks to a dream duo: The fact that RB Leipzig is again approaching the Champions League ranks was mainly thanks to two players for the runners-up on Saturday: André Silva and Christopher Nkunku. The in-form forward duo from Portugal and France scored the goals in a 2-0 win at VfB Stuttgart.
“We are very happy,” said Leipzig’s new coach Domenico Tedesco after the second win in the second half of the season. Silva scored with a hand penalty in the 11th minute, Nkunku completed the decisive counterattack 20 minutes before the end.
Prömel scores again for Union
Derby joy: The situation before the Berlin derby in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup is clear. 1. FC Union Berlin is playing in the Bundesliga for participation in the Champions League, city rivals Hertha BSC against relegation. Dreams of participating in the European Cup again are still taboo at Union despite the strong season so far. “The coach is too nagging for that. He keeps preaching where we come from,” said goalscorer Grischa Prömel after the 2-1 win over Hoffenheim.
Key players and key game: After the unfortunate 2: 3 against Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt absolutely wants the first win of the new year – but has to do without two key players at FC Augsburg on Sunday (3.30 p.m. / DAZN). Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and winger Filip Kostic tested positive for Corona and are out.
Outside track player Danny da Costa is also still in quarantine after a positive test from the previous week. The second game on Sunday is a key game for Arminia Bielefeld and probably the last chance for Greuther Fürth. Because more relegation battle is not possible: The penultimate Bielefeld competes against bottom Fürth. “We know how important the game is. It will be a hot dance,” said Arminia coach Frank Kramer before the game (5:30 p.m. / DAZN).
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