Bundesliga Roundup, Matchday 28
The 28th round of games in the 2023/24 Bundesliga season featured exciting matches and impressive demonstrations of talent. Here is an overview of the weekend’s games.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Werder Bremen
Despite a player being sent off late in the game, Tuta managed to secure a potentially crucial point for Eintracht Frankfurt in their quest for a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League. They drew 1-1 with struggling Werder Bremen, who have not won in their last six league matches. Both teams appeared hesitant to push for a victory, which was surprising considering that a draw did not significantly benefit either team’s campaign goals. Frankfurt has only won two of their last nine league matches, while Bremen has gone six games without a win in the Bundesliga but can find some comfort in ending a four-game losing streak in the league.
Union Berlin 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen is now just three points away from securing their first-ever Bundesliga title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Union Berlin in the German capital. This win also set a new club record for the most wins in a single season with 36. Despite the return of striker Victor Boniface not sparking much action in Leverkusen’s forward line, they still managed to secure another victory, bringing them closer to their historic title. With Bayern Munich’s unexpected loss at Heidenheim, Leverkusen can clinch the championship by defeating Werder Bremen next Sunday, putting them on the verge of achieving greatness under Alonso’s leadership.
Mainz 4-0 Darmstadt
Bo Henriksen’s Mainz 05 team secured consecutive home victories for the first time this season, extending their unbeaten streak at the Mewa Arena to five games with a commanding 4-0 win against relegation rivals SV Darmstadt 98. Despite a defensive error that almost allowed Darmstadt to get back into the match, Mainz sealed the victory with Lee scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes. The South Korean first poked the ball into the net from close range and then added a left-footed strike from 18 yards out, ensuring Darmstadt left empty-handed.
Heidenheim 3-2 Bayern Munich
In an impressive display of resilience in the second half, Heidenheim overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Bayern Munich 3-2. This victory marked the first time a newly-promoted team had beaten the reigning Bundesliga champions. The highlight of the match came with just 10 minutes left, as Kleindienst scored from close range to secure the remarkable comeback win for Heidenheim and add to the woes of Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern team.
Freiburg 1-4 RB Leipzig
Four goal contributions from Loïs Openda helped RB Leipzig secure a 4-1 victory over SC Freiburg at Europa-Park Stadion, improving their chances of finishing in the top-four of the Bundesliga. This win marked the sixth consecutive home league game where the hosts conceded two or more goals. Despite a moment of hope when Vincenzo Grifo scored for Freiburg, Leipzig maintained their lead until the end. This result has implications for both teams, with Leipzig now back in the top-four and Freiburg falling six points behind the top-six.
FC Cologne 2-1 Bochum
Cologne revived their chances of staying in the Bundesliga with a remarkable late comeback, scoring two goals in the first two minutes of stoppage time to defeat Bochum 2-1 at the RheinEnergieStadion. The decisive moment came in the closing stages when Steffen Tigges leaped to head in a corner kick, scoring his first goal of the season. Shortly after, Luca Waldschmidt also scored a header to secure Cologne’s first victory in eight Bundesliga matches, significantly improving their chances of avoiding relegation. Bochum, on the other hand, suffered their sixth winless match and are now just three points above the relegation play-off spot.
Dortmund 0-1 Stuttgart
Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy matched the club’s record for the most goals scored in a Bundesliga season with his 24th goal, leading his team to a 1-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund. This win brought Stuttgart level on points with Bayern Munich. Despite Dortmund’s efforts to turn the game around, they were unable to continue their winning streak, leaving them outside the top four on goal difference. Meanwhile, Stuttgart extended their unbeaten run to 10 games and are now in third place, seven points ahead of Dortmund, with a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in over a decade.
Hoffenheim 3-1 Augsburg
Hoffenheim defeated Augsburg 3-1 at the PreZero Arena after a strong first-half showing, despite Augsburg’s impressive performance in the second half. The victory ended Hoffenheim’s three-game losing streak and kept their hopes of qualifying for Europe alive. Augsburg, who had been on a five-game unbeaten run, may have deserved a better outcome based on their second-half efforts. However, Hoffenheim secured the win with a late goal from Ihlas Bebou, who capitalized on a well-executed play by Kadeřábek shortly after entering the game as a substitute. The loss for Augsburg marked the end of their unbeaten streak, and both teams are now tied on 36 points, six points behind the top six.
Wolfsburg 1-3 Monchengladbach
Ralph Hasenhüttl’s debut home game as Wolfsburg’s manager ended in a loss, extending their poor form to just one win in 12 Bundesliga matches after a disappointing defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Despite coming close to securing three points with 15 minutes left, a header from substitute Robin Hack hit the post. However, Borussia Mönchengladbach managed to score a third goal in added time through Rocco Reitz, taking advantage of Wolfsburg’s sloppy defending. This defeat has pushed Hasenhüttl’s team even closer to the relegation zone, with Wolfsburg now only five points above it.