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Dortmund Edges Ahead in the Bundesliga Title Race

Samrin Hasib, February 7 2012,
Bayern has officially been dethroned from the top of the Bundesliga. The weekend was really a triumph for Borussia Dortmund as all their nearest contenders drew their matches.
Leverkusen 2-2 Stuttgart
Leverkusen 2-2 Stuttgart
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The Bayern supporters knew as did the hierarchy- the team’s performances weren’t up to the mark. Meanwhile, in the Ruhr region, Dortmund decided to put the loss of Nuri Sahin completely behind them. The three performances that Dortmund has produced in the Bundesliga this year have been almost spotless.

A 0-2 win over Nuremberg propelled them to the top of the table on Friday. On Saturday, the three other contenders had to match their result and all failed to do so. Bayern was held to a draw in Hamburg. The result caused some uproar in Bavaria- but this time the comments from the hierarchy weren’t directed towards the opposition. The comments were directed towards Jupp Heynckes.

Karl Heinz Rummenigge said recently that Heynckes refused to transfer in any new players. If Bayern doesn’t win the double and progress to the deep end of the Champions League, Heynckes can say goodbye to the two-year contract. However, the gap between them and Dortmund is just two points. Dortmund will surely drop points from now to the end of the season.

Schalke was involved in one of those clichéd matches which you refer to as ‘a game of two halves’. Mainz took the lead in the first half but Schalke came roaring back in the second and earned a much deserved point. Monchengladbach went to Wolfsburg and ended up drawing 0-0. Schalke’s sporting director Horst Heldt talked about ‘unrealistic’ title expectations after the match.

Schalke’s Ruhr rivals secured the three points with goals from two not entirely expected sources. Sebastian Kehl, the oft injured captain, scored the opener. Lucas Barrios came on from the bench and scored a second. According to him, he didn’t leave Dortmund during the winter break only because of the fans.

Meanwhile, Hertha continued to tumble downwards in the table. Under Markus Babel, they were progressing well and now they find themselves just two points away from the relegation play-off spot. Michael Skibbe lost his third game in a row as manager of Hertha. One has to wonder how Michael Preetz is currently feeling.

Surprise, surprise- Leverkusen…drew….again. This time, they held on to a 2-1 lead against Stuttgart for a while before eventually conceding the equalizer. Next week, they head to the Ruhr to face Dortmund. The reverse fixture early in the season ended in a 0-0 draw at the Bay Arena.

If Leverkusen holds Dortmund to a draw again, expect Bayern to be grateful. Dortmund in this form will perhaps easily get past Leverkusen. Leverkusen sits in sixth, nine points behind fourth spot. Bremen, thanks to a draw against Freiburg, sits eight points behind fourth.

While the title race in Germany continues to excite, something strange seems to be happening. The Champions League spots are seemingly decided and we are not anywhere close to April.

Next week, Dortmund will lead and everyone will have to chase….including a very wary Bayern. Tune in for the action- it should be very enjoyable.

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