Bundesliga Match Day 23: Weekend Wrap-Up
Like many hyped up events, the Julian Nagelsmann Derby only set us up for a sequel, but in this case that next version won't be happening in the same context.
Hoffenheim and RB Leipig battled to a tie behind goals from TSG1899's Andrej Kramaric (22') and Willi Orban (yes that noted goal-scoring machine - 89') as each team earned a point.
For Die Roten Bullen, the point helps the club hold on to fourth place with 42 points overall. Wolfsburg is lurking closely with 38 points, so the room for error is not great for Leipzig. Hoffenheim, meanwhile, is sitting in eighth place with 34 points, but will be in a major battle to earn a top six position.
Orban, who helped Leipzig scrape for a point, has three goals in his last four Bundesliga games, but that goal-scoring prowess appears to have come at the expense of Timo Werner, who can no longer even get in the squad. Werner missed two games this month due to sickness.
I think at this stage it is fair to ask if Orban has engaged in some Game of Thrones-type "Blood Magic" to hype his own stat sheet. Someone check Werner's status ASAP!
Overall, it was Orban's fourth league goal this season.
Prediction: RB Leipzig 2, Hoffenheim 1 (L)
Werder Bremen 1, VfB Stuttgart 1: It was a missed opportunity for Werder Bremen to try and start to force its way into competition for a Europa League spot. Steven Zuber gave Die Schwaben a lead just two minutes into the game as he scored for the second consecutive game. Werder Bremen's Davy Klaassen knotted the game in the 45th minute, but the teams would remain in a deadlock from that point.
For what it's worth, Klaassen is really underrated. He seems to be extremely solid in just about every game that I watch him and while he isn't necessarily spectacular, he makes a lot of smart decisions and just provides stellar play in the midfield that helps power the Werder Bremen effort. The reason he may not get as many accolades as he deserves is probably because always looks like he's on the verge of going postal.
Anyway, Stuttgart needed any amount of points it could must, but Die Werderaner will be kicking itself over this one. Every squad is capable of a slip-up every now again, but Werder Bremen hopes to gain a top six position got a little dimmer by losing out on two additional points.
Prediction: Werder Bremen 2, VfB Stuttgart 1 (L)
Wolfsburg 3, Borussia Monchengladbach 0: In the shocker of the weekend, Wolfsburg decimated M'Gladbach, which is faltering at one of the worst possible times. The Wolves got a first half goal from Yannick Gerhardt (38') before Admir Mehmedi notched a brace in the second half to secure the victory. Wolfsburg's rise this season has been phenomenal and the Wolves should be commended for their resurgence as they inch closer to a Champions League position.
For Die Fohlen, this upcoming weekend won't help their current state. A match-up with Bayern Munich looms and M'Gladbach is finding itself at risk of losings its stronghold on a Champions League spot.
Prediction: Borussia Monchengladbach 2, Wolfsburg 1 (L)
Bayern Munich 1, Hertha Berlin 0: Javi Martinez's second half header saved what was a poor performance from Bayern, which looked a bit hungover after its dramatic Champions League draw with Liverpool.
For Hertha, it was a very solid effort that has typified their season overall despite the loss. The biggest star of the match for Die Alte Dame was defender Niklas Stark, who was an absolute beast against Bayern --- to the point that the Bavarians are now kicking the tires on seeing what it would take to bring in the 23-year-old center back.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3, Hertha Berlin 1 (W)
SC Freiburg 5, FC Augsburg 1: In the offensive explosion of the weekend, Freiburg went into full "Streich Force" mode with its attack. Nils Petersen (9' and 43') had a brace, while Vincenzo Grifo (30'), Luca Waldschmidt (64'), and Florian Niederlechner (85') all had single goals to throttle Die Fuggerstädter.
Augsburg's Rani Khedira had the goal for his squad, but this is a game that Manuel Baum's team would love to forget.
Prediction: SC Freiburg 2, FC Augsburg 2 (L)
Mainz 3, Schalke 0: The Schalke ship is sinking in a bad way. By all means, Mainz has been a better and more consistent team this season, so the result isn't all that shocking, but it is the manner in which M05 exerted itself on what should be a more talented Die Königsblauen side. Karim Onisiwo (18' and 84') had a brace to lead the Mainz offense, while 21-year-old French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta added the other M05 score.
I've been hesitant to to criticize Domenico Tedesco too much, but it is hard to argue that he has not lost the team. Frankly, at times, it flat out looks like Schalke has quit on its manager and could be in need of a roster and managerial overhaul.
Prediction: Schalke 2, Mainz 1 (L)
Fortuna Dusseldorf 2, FC Nurnberg 1: F95 is doing well to position itself for another season in the top flight, while Der Club looks like a lock to head back to 2.Bundesliga. Nurnberg's Eduard Lowen gave Nurnberg a lead in the 41st minute, but an own goal (62') and the game-winner from Kaan Ayhan (83') ultimately shut the doors on Der Club.
Prediction: Fortuna Dusseldorf 2, FC Nurnberg 1 (W)
Eintracht Frankfurt 3, Hannover 96 0: Die Adler did what it was supposed to do in dominating H96. Luka Jovic continued his torrid play with a goal and two assists, while Ante Rebic and Filip Kostic (assist) also had goals. Jovic's class and creativity is stunning and has opened eyes worldwide. With Bayern and FC Barcelona both seriously looking at the 21-year-old, Frankfurt should be positioned for a nice pay day should it decide to sell the talented Serbian after this season.
Despite Hannover's impressive return to the Bundesliga last season, H96 is in serious trouble this season. H96 is in a seemingly endless rut that it cannot climb out of it.
Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt 4, Hannover 96 1 (W)
Borussia Dortmund 3, Bayer Leverkusen 2: It wasn't easy, but the Black and Yellows got back on the winning track with a resilient victory over Die Werkself. BVB's Dan-Axel Zagadou (30') and Leverkusen's Kevin Volland (37') exchanged goals, Jadon Sancho countered just one minute after Volland to erase any momentary doubt that might have begun to seep in.
Mario Gotze tacked on a second half goal to extend Dortmund's lead to 3-1 before, Die Werkself's Jonathan Tah struck at the 75-minute mark.
For Dortmund, it was an end to the bleeding, but Leverkusen's continued fight for a European spot took a hit. With every loss or draw, Bayer Leverkusen is making it harder for its youthful core to gain additional Europa League experience (a Champions League spot seems too far gone).
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 3, Borussia Dortmund 2 (L)
Match day record: 3-6
Season record: 98-109
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.
