Match Day 27: Weekend Wrap-Up
- Chuck Smith
- Mar 19, 2018
- 4 min read
In RB Leipzig's convincing 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich many things were apparent:
1 - Leipzig was the hungrier and more energetic team
2 - The magic touch of Jupp Heynckes does not always yield quite the results he would like
3 - Bayern looked complacent and a bit sloppy for much of the match
There are a variety of reasons (or excuses) one could make for Bayern, but they really just were out-played and out-classed by Leipzig. Make no mistake, Leipzig had more incentive to get an important league win, but the Munich boys also were oddly unmotivated for one of the few times under Heynckes. Perhaps this was the wake-up call Bayern needed or maybe it was just an off-game that came at the end of a grueling track right before the international break.
Regardless of any of that, Leipzig wanted the game more and played like it. Naby Keita and Timo Werner scored phenomenal goals for Leipzig and kept the normally stout Bayern side on its heels for nearly the entire game.
The game ultimately looked like a battle (at times) that would play a part in who can best lay claim to the title of "Best German Striker": Die Roten Bullen's Werner (who entered as a sub early in the game) and Die Roten's Sandro Wagner. Given Mario Gomez' recent form, we are sure he'd like to enter that conversation, but on this day - in this game - Werner looked more capable of wearing that crown, despite goals by both players.
Werner played with a ferver and desire that sometimes can be absent in his matches for Leipzig. Clearly, playing Bayern is a motivational tool for any Bundesliga player, but Werner's already electric pace seemed even more of a blur. His cuts and runs were more sharp and timely. Simply put, he looked like the dynamic force he has been touted to be.
Wagner, while turning in an admirable performance that was highlighted by a goal off a beautiful cross by James Rodriguez, made an early impact, made his case; just not as convincing as Werner's was.
They are two different kinds of strikers and both can make an impact for Die Mannschaft, but if we had to pick one to start, we'd go with Timo.
VfB Stuttgart 2, SC Freiburg 1: Stuttgart used a brace from Mario Gomez to out-punch Freiburg, who received a score from Nils Peterson. Stuttgart has been excellent in being unbeaten in its last seven Bundesliga fixtures (five wins, two draws) and looks to be building some solid momentum in the waning stages of the season. The Europa League qualification spot isn't exactly close, but it's starting to get a little more realistic by the day.
Hertha Berlin 2, Hamburger SV 1: Goals from Valentino Lazaro and Salomon Kalou pushed Hertha Berlin to a victory over Der Dinosaur, which received a goal from Douglas Santos. It was yet another loss for Hamburger, who seems relegated to its relegation status (see what I did there?).
Eintracht Frankfurt 3, Mainz 0: Frankfurt got back on track behind goals from the potent trio of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Luka Jovic, and Ante Rebic. After last week's breakdown against Dortmund, lowly Mainz was the perfect opponent to right the ship against.
Borussia Monchengladbach 3, Hoffenheim 3: M'Gladbach finally displayed that offensive potential we've been ranting about here for weeks (months?) as Josip Drmic, Lars Stindl, and a 90th minute tally from Matthias Ginter sealed a tie against Hoffenheim, which had Benjamini Hubner, Andrej Kramaric, and 22-year old Austrian Florian Grillitsch. We predicted a tie in this game and it somehow came to fruition behind Ginter's last minute heroics. Both teams are better than they've shown, but will need sure up things defensively get into contention for a top six spot.
Werder Bremen 3, Augsburg 1: We predicted a tie in this one even though we've been HUGE fans of how Bremen has played of late...and the soccer gods appropriately punished us. Bremen has simply been stellar of late and received two goals from Ishak Belfodil and another from Max Kruse to race past Augsburg. Bremen, itself, is not in the running for a top six position, but seems like it has moved out of the RELEGATION DANGER ZONE and could play spoiler to many of the teams vying for place in the top six.
Schalke 04 1, Wolfsburg 0: The Royal Blues were the beneficiary of an own goal and subsequently held on to their second place spot in what had to be a disappointing result even with the victory.
Borussia Dortmund 1, Hannover 96 0: We expected A LOT more from BVB in this one, but Dortmund continued to struggle to find any semblance of consistency. Michy Batshuayi had the only goal for the Black and Yellows, who fell victim to Hannover's pesky style of play, but still ultimately did enough to snatch a W.
FC Koln 2, Bayer Leverkusen 0: Koln is another squad we admire for their resilience after a depressing start to the season and were determined to derail Leverkusen's top six aspirations. Yuya Osako and Simon Zoller found the net for Koln and Leverkusen will be beating themselves up over the international break for the lost opportunity to grab what should have probably been three easy points.
This week's record: 6-3
Season record: 34-29
Note: Predicted ties count as a win if correct and as a loss if there is a winner; conversely if a game is predicted to have a winner but ends in a tie, it will count as a loss.
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