Bundesliga Matchday 18 Review: The One that shows the Have’s & Have Not’s

The Bundesliga returned with fireworks from their winter break. The top teams solidified themselves, the mid table strengthened themselves, and the bottom four became more pronounced. This and more in the Bundesliga Matchday 18 review.

Borussia Dortmund looked a trip to Leipzig dead in the eye, and they came through 1-0 victors. The notable American moment was in the tunnel as 20-year old outgoing Christian Pulisic swapped shirts with 19-year old recent signing Tyler Adams.

Axel Witzel pulled off the only goal of the match early with a brilliant goal off a corner. Leipzig didn’t clear the ball and Witzel put in his third of the season and second against RB. For BVB, the defense held strong and the title race continues to be on for a side that has learned that it’s okay to hire smart rather than with big bucks.

Bayer Leverkusen fired Heiko Herlich to hire Peter Bosz, that relationship started off with a loss to local rivals Borussia Monchengladbach, 1-0.

For the Foals, the victory over Leverkusen means staying with the European pack. Allasane Plea’s 10th goal of the campaign proved that the 25 million spent on the French striker was definitely worth it as they find themselves in third in the Bundesliga and nine points behind in the race for the title.

Bayern Munich felt that a return to league form wasn’t enough to assert their footprint for the spring, but a 3-1 road victory in Hoffenheim was.

Hoffenheim was one of the teams that took points off Bayern the most, and yet, this second time this season it again didn’t happen. The reigning champions were ruthless. Leon Goretzka notched a brace and fact was he was on top of his game, Schalke fans merely had salt rubbed into their wounds that he was allowed to leave for nothing.

Elsewhere in the Bundeslgia

Eintracht Frankfurt tossed SC Freiburg a nice mercy goal, but the first half from the Eagles were all that epitomizes ruthlessness. Should they perform for 90 minutes, then Bayern and BVB will have someone their own equal.

Mainz confirmed that surprise side Stuttgart and their horrid start would continue. Their 3-2 victory start was one that will sting for the Swabian’s as they are firmly in 16th, one point from safety and seven from 14th.

Schalke had a difficult Hinrunde, but their 2-1 win over European chasing Wolfsburg has got them on the right course for the Ruckrunde and widens the gap from the relegation threatened and midtable safety.

Nurnburg finds nothing but difficulty whomever they play. A 3-1 victory for Hertha sees the Old Lady within a point of Europe and Nurnburg firmly at the foot of the table.

Werder Bremen earned a nice 1-0 away win at 17th place Hannover. The 96ers are struggling for anything at the moment and the rest of the league keeps a sizable gap distance.

Augsburg thought they might get points home to Dusseldorf but Fortuna shocked them 2-1. The victory puts the Bavarians in 15th, but six points from midtable safety.

Bundesliga Player of the Week: Leon Goretzka was simply impeccable. His brace pushed Bayern to victory.