Match Day 31: Weekend Wrap-Up
- Chuck Smith
- Apr 29, 2019
- 4 min read
Well...this weekend did not go to form.
In a remarkable display, the Bundesliga was turned upside down with a series of unexpected results.
On Saturday, BVB was stunned by Schalke 04 in the Revierderby by a score of 4-2. In a game that Dortmund never looked comfortable in, Schalke was able to not only deal its rival a heavy blow, but it also put itself in a very good position for another year in the top flight.
Mario Gotze gave the Black and Yellows an early lead with a goal in the 14th minute, but Die Königsblauen did not wilt. Daniel Caligiuri (18'- PK) and Salif Sane (28') quickly scored to give Schalke a 2-1 lead before all hell broke loose.
Marco Reus was given a somewhat questionable red card in the 61st minute, which put Caligiuri back on the spot for another penalty conversion in the 62nd minute. Three minutes later, Marius Wolf was given a red card for a trip and BVB was suddenly playing with nine men and trailing 3-1.
Axel Witsel cut the lead to 3-2 in the 84th minute, but Breel Ebolo countered for Schalke just two minutes later to ice the game. It was a truly remarkable win for Schalke and it look liked like a loss that would finally put Dortmund out of the league title race. Until...
Bayern played an unmotivated game and lacked the sharpness and precision that has made it one of the top teams in Europe over the past four months. Matheus Pereira (48') have Der Club the lead, but Serge Gnabry was able to answer for Die Roten in the 75th minute.
While the game would end in a stalemate, Nurnberg almost had a chance to pull the upset when it was awarded a penalty kick on a foul by Alphonso Davies. Unfortunately for Der Club, Tim Leibold hit the woodwork and could not convert.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 4, Schalke 04 1 (L)
Prediction: Bayern Munich 5, FC Nurnberg 0 (L)
(Standings courtesy of @Bundesliga_EN)
It wasn't just Dortmund and Bayern that were dealt a swift blow, but some other teams that were riding high were shockingly upended.
Fortuna Dusseldorf 4, Werder Bremen 1: In reality, this should have been an easy fixture to pick. Werder Bremen was due for an emotional letdown after two high-intensity matches with Bayern and that it exactly what happened. F95 received goals from Benito Raman (1'), Kenan Karaman (22'), Rouwen Hennings (56'), and Markus Suttner (73') on its way to a very convincing and deserved victory.
Werder Bremen's goal came on a penalty conversion from Max Kruse, but Die Werderaner just needs some rest.
Prediction: Werder Bremen 3, Fortuna Dusseldorf 1 (L)
Eintracht Frankfurt 0, Hertha Berlin 0: This is not to knock Hertha Berlin at all, but this result has much more to do with Eintracht Frankfurt being exhausted and Die Alte Dame being rejuvenated. That being said, it was nice to see Hertha show some fight after a stretch of seven Bundesliga games without a win.
Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt 3, Hertha Berlin 1 (L)
Hannover 96 1, Mainz 05 0: Hendrik Weydandt's 66th minute goal was the difference maker in game that will give H96 a little hope going into a daunting challenge against Bayern next weekend.
Prediction: Mainz 05 2, Hannover 96 1 (L)
Wolfsburg 4, Hoffenheim 1: Early on it looked like Hoffenheim was headed to another blowout victory. Adam Szalai scored in the ninth minute and Andrej Kramaric lined up for a penalty in the 16th minute that would have given TSG1899 an early and almost insurmountable lead given their recent form. Kramaric, however, missed the attempt and the Wolves proceeded to take over.
William (41'), Wout Weghorst (69', 88'), and Maximilian Arnold (85') put Wolfsburg ahead in a crucial win for the squad that pushed the Wolves right back into the race for a top six position.
Prediction: Hoffenheim 2, Wolfsburg 1 (L)
VfB Stuttgart 1, Borussia Monchengladbach 0: Anastasios Donis' goal in the 56th minute sealed the win for Die Schwaben, but it's likely too little, too late for Stuttgart in its hopes to at least avoid the relegation playoff.
Prediction: Borussia Monchengladbach 3, VfB Stuttgart 2 (L)
Even with all of that insanity going on, a few teams managed to look danger in the eye and take care of business.
Bayer Leverkusen 4, FC Augsburg 1: Kevin Danso's 12th goal gave Augsburg a temporary lead, but Die Werkself took over completely from that point forward. Kevin Volland (15'), Kai Havertz (48'), Jonathan Tah (60'), and Julian Brandt (88') all scored to get a crucial three points for Leverkusen.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 3, FC Augsburg 2 (W)
RB Leipzig 2, SC Freiburg 1: Timo Werner (19') and Vincenzo Grifo (66') exchanged goals, but it was ultimately a penalty conversion from Emil Forsberg in the 78th minute that sealed the win for Die Roten Bullen.
Prediction: RB Leipzig 2, SC Freiburg 1 (W)
What a collapse!
Last match day record: 2-7
Season record: 142-137
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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