Frankfurt displays why they are title contenders:
Frankfurt was at the losing end of a 2-0 score-line at the Allianz Arena. However, despite losing out heavily in terms of possession, they had chances to score at the Allianz and largely kept Bayern at bay. This season, very few teams have mounted a serious challenge against the favourites. However, Die Adler looked good for a point until a David Alaba penalty put them to bed.
This Frankfurt squad has a bright future ahead if they continue to stay true to their attacking style. The mighty Schalke never stood a chance at their own stadium against the Bavarians whereas the surprise package Frankfurt put up a decent fight. Don’t be surprised if Frankfurt finishes in the top five this season.
Come-backs are not rare in the Bundesliga:
Comebacks are becoming a rather common occurrence in the Bundesliga. Bayern beat Stuttgart on Match-day Two, coming back from a goal down. Frankfurt came back from 2-0 down to draw 3-3 against the holders, Borussia Dortmund. This week, Schalke came back from a goal down to beat Bremen 2-1.
Stuttgart took a 2-0 lead but somehow succumbed, losing 2-4. And finally, Fürth took an unexpected 2-1 lead, but being a man down, couldn’t hold on to it and lost 2-4. These are not the first comebacks of the league this season and they won’t be the last. In Germany, it is difficult to anticipate who will win a match. Even a four goal lead isn’t enough at times as the national side would testify.
Leverkusen is the big loser this week:
Bayern, Schalke and Dortmund all picked up difficult victories this week. Leverkusen surprisingly lost to one of the worst teams as far as form is concerned in the league, 3-1. They couldn’t find their scoring boots! Wolfsburg went into a shock 3-0 lead. Leverkusen could have done with their suspended captain, Simon Rolfes in this one. A double from Diego coupled with two from Bas Dost had Leverkusen reeling. A late Stefan Kiessling goal acted only as a consolation. Leverkusen has gone down to fifth after this one.
Gladbach’s blushes spared by red card:
Greuther Fürth is a tough side to play at home. However, losing to them is not a good result as they are struggling currently. Gladbach went down an early goal but was helped tremendously by the sending off of Thomas Kleine in the 12th minute. Gladbach eventually equalized but ten-man Fürth took the lead again.
Eventually, Fürth succumbed and conceded three in the second half. However, Gladbach’s blushes were well and truly spared by Kleine’s sending off.
Inconsistency is seemingly Stuttgart’s identity:
When Stuttgart went 2-0 up against Hannover, the fans were both amazed and unsurprised. It is in Stuttgart’s nature to beat the best. However, something else which is in their nature is inconsistency. Eventually the 2-0 lead turned into a 2-4 deficit against the team from northern Germany.
Stuttgart’s inconsistency prevents them from earning a Champions League berth. They have lost matches they should have won this season. They have also collected some brilliant points however. Nobody can predict how Stuttgart will play on a given day. It is this unpredictability which makes Stuttgart games fun to watch. It is this unpredictability which is costing the club time and time again.
