The matches this week almost transpired as expected- in mid week, we might find out where the title will be heading to at the end of the season.
Bastian Schweinsteiger shunned a reporter’s questions after Bayern’s derby victory. The reporter’s question was meant to belittle Augsburg and Schweinsteiger, out of respect, chose to move away from the scene. The German completed 90 minutes in a match for the first time since October.
An almost unknown side has emerged to Bayern’s character now. Bayern has learnt how to win ‘ugly’. Mario Gomez in his post match comments said that Bayern cannot be expected to thrash opponents every week. Indeed, Bayern’s win over Augsburg was an ‘ugly’ one. Dortmund beat Wolfsburg on the same day at the same time consigning die Wolfe to only their fourth home defeat of the season.
It took only 24.3 seconds for Bayern to break down Augsburg’s defence. Franck Ribery tore down the left flank and cut back for Mario Gomez. Gomez’s shot was parried by Simon Jentzsch; the rebound was tapped in by the German striker. Bayern’s attack lacked ‘bite’ throughout the remainder of the first half. Augsburg even managed to equalize through Koo Ja Cheol thanks to a combination of defensive errors by Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer.
At the beginning of the second half, the attack still seemed to be stagnating. Schweinsteiger wasn’t receiving the ball at his feet too many times. Bayern almost lacked a ‘creative spark’. In the 52nd minute, Jupp Heynckes decided that no more time could be wasted. He introduced his ‘pass master’ Toni Kroos onto the pitch.
Bayern’s attack started looking like what it had all season long in home games afterwards. Eventually Arjen Robben managed to find Gomez in the penalty area who finished calmly. It seems that the contract extension for Gomez till 2016 is set to favour Bayern more than the former Stuttgart man.
Dortmund, while not comfortably, found the win they needed. They were ahead in the match ever since Robert Lewandowski notched a goal midway through the first half. They doubled their advantage in the second half through Ilkay Guendogan. When their lead was cut to a single goal, Lewandowski scored again in order for his team to regain their two goal advantage. The final score was 1-3 to Dortmund.
Schalke seemed to have taken the Europa League defeat to Bilbao in their stride. They beat Hannover 3-0 to keep pace with the top two even though they are nine points behind the leaders Dortmund with the Ruhr derby still to come. Leverkusen began life without Robin Dutt with a 1-1 draw against HSV. Mladen Petric’s early goal from the penalty spot was cancelled out by Andre Schuerrle’s goal in the second half.
Kaiserslautern seems destined for relegation after losing once again. They are bottom of the table and their situation almost resembles that of St.Pauli last season. With five matches to go, a ten point deficit seems too much to overcome. Hertha meanwhile picked up a point against Gladbach who failed to find the back of the net in their own backyard but remain fourth, nine points ahead of fifth placed Stuttgart.
On Wednesday, a game that can be called the title decider takes place at the Signal Iduna Park. Bayern due to their superior goal difference have a chance to head back to the top of the table with a win over Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund on the other hand can extend their lead at the top to six points.
Tune in for the decider on Wednesday. The game if anything should be a mouth watering one. Don’t miss it!
An almost unknown side has emerged to Bayern’s character now. Bayern has learnt how to win ‘ugly’. Mario Gomez in his post match comments said that Bayern cannot be expected to thrash opponents every week. Indeed, Bayern’s win over Augsburg was an ‘ugly’ one. Dortmund beat Wolfsburg on the same day at the same time consigning die Wolfe to only their fourth home defeat of the season.
It took only 24.3 seconds for Bayern to break down Augsburg’s defence. Franck Ribery tore down the left flank and cut back for Mario Gomez. Gomez’s shot was parried by Simon Jentzsch; the rebound was tapped in by the German striker. Bayern’s attack lacked ‘bite’ throughout the remainder of the first half. Augsburg even managed to equalize through Koo Ja Cheol thanks to a combination of defensive errors by Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer.
At the beginning of the second half, the attack still seemed to be stagnating. Schweinsteiger wasn’t receiving the ball at his feet too many times. Bayern almost lacked a ‘creative spark’. In the 52nd minute, Jupp Heynckes decided that no more time could be wasted. He introduced his ‘pass master’ Toni Kroos onto the pitch.
Bayern’s attack started looking like what it had all season long in home games afterwards. Eventually Arjen Robben managed to find Gomez in the penalty area who finished calmly. It seems that the contract extension for Gomez till 2016 is set to favour Bayern more than the former Stuttgart man.
Dortmund, while not comfortably, found the win they needed. They were ahead in the match ever since Robert Lewandowski notched a goal midway through the first half. They doubled their advantage in the second half through Ilkay Guendogan. When their lead was cut to a single goal, Lewandowski scored again in order for his team to regain their two goal advantage. The final score was 1-3 to Dortmund.
Schalke seemed to have taken the Europa League defeat to Bilbao in their stride. They beat Hannover 3-0 to keep pace with the top two even though they are nine points behind the leaders Dortmund with the Ruhr derby still to come. Leverkusen began life without Robin Dutt with a 1-1 draw against HSV. Mladen Petric’s early goal from the penalty spot was cancelled out by Andre Schuerrle’s goal in the second half.
Kaiserslautern seems destined for relegation after losing once again. They are bottom of the table and their situation almost resembles that of St.Pauli last season. With five matches to go, a ten point deficit seems too much to overcome. Hertha meanwhile picked up a point against Gladbach who failed to find the back of the net in their own backyard but remain fourth, nine points ahead of fifth placed Stuttgart.
On Wednesday, a game that can be called the title decider takes place at the Signal Iduna Park. Bayern due to their superior goal difference have a chance to head back to the top of the table with a win over Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund on the other hand can extend their lead at the top to six points.
Tune in for the decider on Wednesday. The game if anything should be a mouth watering one. Don’t miss it!
