Bundesliga Matchday 25

Hannover 96 v. FC Bayern München 3:1 (1:0)

Goal Scorers: Hannover – Abdellaoue 16’, Rausch 51’, Pinto 62’; FCB – Robben 55’

AWD Arena – 49,000

“Horror in Hannover” was the post-match headline, and with good reason. A team that had become the whipping boys for Bayern, Hannover, completely controlled this game. Hard to believe that less than a year ago, Bayern beat the 96ers 7-0, but that is the hope and belief that Slomka has instilled in his team. Abdellaoue’s goal on 16 minutes was one of speed and power. He snuck in between the Bayern center backs and capitalized on a beautiful cross. The player of the game, Rausch, netted Hannover’s second goal just after the second half began. Bayern might have thought they were in the game when Robben scored on 55 minutes (his first with his head), but the combination of a red card for Breno and the Pinto goal sealed this game and for the time being sealed Hannover in a Champions League Place. The possession stats were lopsided in Bayern’s favor, but to no avail – Hannover took this match reasonably comfortably.

Borussia Dortmund v. FC Köln 1:0 (1:0)

Goal Scorers: Dortmund – Lewandowski 44’

Signal Iduna Park – 80,720

Dortmund just keeps winning. They talk a good talk – “we are not interested in talking about the title,” and more importantly, they play great football. Please don’t be fooled by the score line – Dortmund could/should/would have won by much, much more if it weren’t for Michael Rensing in the Köln net. The former Bayern keeper was not doing the Bavarians any favors. It gets pretty old talking about Dortmund, you can almost cut and paste every week’s roundup and it will basically be true. Dortmund combines speed, technique, and vision better than anybody in Germany. These stats just show how fortunate Köln were: Dortmund had 24 total shots to the Billy Goats 7; Dortmund registered 60% possession; and more importantly for Dortmund’s style – 82% passing success rate (compared to 68% for Köln). The standout player again for Dortmund was Nuri Sahin. Sahin completed 62/75 of his passes, and if you look at any statistical map of player position it is clear that everything Dortmund does going forward goes through Sahin. Let’s hope he stays at Dortmund and continues to grow, his exciting talent needs nurturing.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v. VfL Wolfsburg 3:0 (3:0)

Goal Scorers: Bayer – Bender 21’, Augusto 29’, Kießling 45’

Bay Arena – 28,115

First half of the weekend! Too bad Dortmund is so good because Leverkusen are worthy champions. Jupp Heynckes has built a solid squad. Their midfield is only second to Dortmund’s. Much will be made about Lars Bender’s composure to score the first goal, but the flick from Sidney Sam was incredible. As I have mentioned before, if you are not watching Sidney Sam – you should! Augusto’s goal was a thing of beauty as well; a rocket from about 25 yards. A boring second half was really down to the composure and possession of Leverkusen. 

What is left to say about Wolfsburg? I watch them and think when will they dust off these cobwebs? Honestly, maybe in 2 Bundesliga… They find themselves one point above the relegation playoff.

Hamburger SV v. 1. FSV Mainz 05 2:4 (1:0)

Goal Scorers: HSV – Jansen 17’, Petric 59’; Mainz – Aogo 56’ (OG), Kacar 61’ (OG), Schürrle 82’, Heller 88’

HSH Nordbank Arena – 49,460

This was a superb match for Mainz. They showed that grit and determination that they embodied for the first half of the season. With a Europa League spot up for grabs this match was fearsome. Mainz simply fought longer and harder than HSV and was rewarded with the victory. Schürrle was the man of the match solely because of the last ten minutes. This win propelled Mainz into fourth and forced Bayern down into fifth one point behind Mainz. HSV, on the other hand, find themselves still in the hunt for Europa League qualification, but are now in seventh after an emphatic win from Nürnberg.

1. FC Nürnberg v. FC St. Pauli 5:0 (3:0)

Goal Scorers: FCN – Wollscheid 3’, Eigler 14’, 17’, 86’, 87’

Easy-Credit Stadion – 45,109

It is not often that somebody can say Nürnberg looked great; well this was one of those moments. St. Pauli have not been easy prey as of late either (although they are starting to slip away), this was a legitimate result. Christian Eigler will take all the plaudits – four goals will do that for any player! The fact is that this match was never in doubt, 3-0 up at halftime allowed Der Club to sit back and play their game. Mehmet Ekici pulls the strings for Nürnberg – 45/47 passing, and continually is becoming one of the most exciting players in the Bundesliga.

VfB Stuttgart v. FC Schalke 04 1:0 (1:0)

Goal Scorers: VfB – Kuzmanovic 15’ (PK)

Mercedes-Benz Arena – 39,000

FC Inconsistent, AKA Schalke, once again failed to build on their midweek momentum on the road at Stuttgart this weekend; further frustration for Magath who is already the most unlikable manager in the Bundesliga. Usually we have discussion after a match in Europe, but this week Schalke knocked Bayern out of the DFB Pokal (German FA Cup). Schalke was not helped with a red card for Höwedes after 14 minutes. The resulting penalty led to VfB’s goal from Kuzmanovic. 

In actuality, the most important aspect of this match was that Stuttgart are only one point away from safety, and judging by the complete dross that is above them (e.g. Wolfsburg and Frankfurt to name only two), Stuttgart are starting to believe that safety is a real option. Kuzmanovic has been a great player this season, and those reasons were on display against the Royal Blues. He completely controlled the middle of the park and completed 65/74 passes.

Borussia M'gladbach v. 1899 Hoffenheim 2:0 (0:0)

Goal Scorers: Gladbach – Daems 65’ (PK), de Camargo 70’

Stadion im Borussia Park – 35,350

Just like fellow basement dweller VfB, this was a vital three points for Gladbach. They are still 4 points away from safety, but this is a confident move in the right direction against a Hoffenheim side that find themselves 7 points outside of a Europa League spot. It seems as though Lucien Favre is stamping his name on this squad; they should have been up by 2 goals already at the half. Daems slotted in a penalty in his own consistent fashion (although Hoffenheim keeper, Starke got a hand to it). Hoffenheim will ask more questions of their defense; de Camargo was wide open for his 70^th minute header that sealed the three points.

SC Freiburg v. SV Werder Bremen 1:3 (0:1)

Goal Scorers: SCF – Cisse 49’ (PK); Bremen – Wagner 12’, Pizarro 76’, Marin 90+2’

Badenova-Stadion – 24,000

For Werder Bremen supporters it cannot be overstated how important these three points are (just as VfB and Gladbach supporters would agree) because it keeps them above the drop for another week (three points clear). At times it appeared that the stress of relegation was getting to Bremen; they panicked in possession and wasted opportunities, but began to calm down in the second half. The Bundesliga’s all-time leading foreign goal scorer Claudio Pizarro (let's call him BALFGS Claudio Pizarro for short) put Bremen ahead and then Marin sealed the points in time added on. Marin is constantly a player to watch out for. While at Gladbach he was a creative menace, but had to hide in the shadows of Mesut Özil last season at Bremen. He has a bit more license this season.

Freiburg simply needs to put this match behind them and see the positives in a weekend in which HSV and Hoffenheim lost. They are tied on point with HSV with 37.

Eintracht Frankfurt v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern 0:0 (0:0)

Commerzbank-Arena – 49,400

Snooze…

*The fun statistic for Frankfurt continues – no wins and no goals in 2011!

*Also, this is the first 0-0 since Matchday 21 (Frankfurt was one of those as well…)