Bundesliga Matchday 14 Review: The one where Schalke lost… again

Revier derby, Bavarian derby, Plastico goalfest, and much more from Matchday 14 in the Bundesliga.

Borussia Dortmund always find away in Gelsinkirchen difficult, but a 2-1 win means staying top and seven points clear of Gladbach in second.

Ask a local Schalke or Dortmund fan what they’d want out of the season and it is winning the derby. That, and finishing above the other. For BVB, that started when Thomas Delaney headed from 20 yards out on a Marco Reus free kick. Schalke gave the home fans hope of a result when a penalty was called and then converted by David Caliguri. Raphael Guerreiro was subbed on in the second half and a massive push he was as he hit the woodwork and assisted in the match winner scored by Jadon Sancho.

Bayern moved from one good result to another with a convincing 3-0 victory over their great rivals Nurnberg. 

For the relegation struggling Nurnberg, it was conceding the early goal that opened them up for heartbreak. Matches in which they are able to gain points have been ones where they keep things close while this wasn’t one of them. Bayern has been experimenting with Joshua Kimmich in the midfield role and here assisting in the opening goal and grabbing the third was a strong performance which will mean that the club will come to expect more in the future.

Everytime two of the ‘Plastic’ clubs face off is a moment for the fans of the traditional teams to poke fun, which Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim playing out to a 2-2 draw had plenty of fun.

For Wolfsburg this was a marquee moment. Seven points in their last three and all against teams that reside in the top five positions currently in the Bundesliga, this after struggling of late. For Hoffenheim, their struggles have been great, but the fact is that they are currently sitting in seventh and been managing while balancing European obligations. Still much and more to play for each.

Eleswhere in the Bundesliga

Hertha Berlin won again to go sixth in the league after a 1-0 victory. Eintracht will feel the sting more as they missed a chance for a draw with a penalty no call.

Werder Bremen shook off the stench of one point in five with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Fortuna Dusseldorf. Notable was American Josh Sargent scoring in his debut match with his first touch of the ball.

SC Freiburg does their thing, play a big dog and win convincingly at home when not expected. This edition’s was the defeat of RB Leipzig in a 3-0 match that stopped Leipzig from staying second in the table.

Bayer Leverkusen again found life. With Kai Havertz on the score sheet again, they have distanced themselves from the truly horrible start that they had to the campaign, 1-0 winners over Augsburg.

Not just one team would feel the sting of a referee call in deciding their result. Hannover leading 1-0 saw a soft penalty given which converted meant that the match would end 1-1 between them and hosts Mainz.

Borussia Monchenbladbach scored an impressive 3-0 win over Stuttgart. All goals just happen to occur all within the second half.

Prost Bundesliga Player of the Week

Florian Neuhaus for the Foals was vital in their win which returns them to second in the Bundesliga and while just a second half substitute he assisted with one and scored another.