Bundesliga Matchday 20: The One Where it Snowed

Bayern drop points, Borussia Dortmund get tested, and life in the relegation escape in the 20th matchday of the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich had returned from the winter break in style. Sadly, that style had no substance against the all-out attack from Bayer Leverkusen as the hosts beat the champions, 3-1.

Leon Goretzka has had a brilliant ruckrunde so far, putting away one in the first half for his fourth in three matches. Leverkusen has been all-out attack since they started the spring half and three goals were put away as the hosts seemed to be able to do no wrong.

Borussia Dortmund knew they’d have their hands full with Eintracht Frankfurt. This top five clash had opportunities to be higher scoring, but a 1-1 draw was all that transpired.

Borussia Dortmund looked to have the first half well in hand as over the first thirty minutes, captain Marco Reus put home the go ahead goal in the 22nd minute and hitting the post a mere two minutes later. Frankfurt and their attacking three would not be outdone as Luka Jovic put home a cross, staying ahead by one in the goal scoring charts on the season. Sharing of the spoils was all that would be with each side thinking they could’ve taken home all three points.

In the relegation fight, Stuttgart has looked doomed despite spending more than half of the other Bundesliga teams. This 2-2 draw was a sign of life within the club, but in the snow and playing with 10 it seems, the Swabians just have no luck.

Freiburg got out to a quick start which in the fourth minute, some people only had retrieved their sausages and beer so for a start like that could be disparaging for anyone. It was a show of fight that the game even returned to Stuttgart’s advantage with their recent form. Two goals set up by Nicolas Gonzales scored by Insua and Daniel Didavi meant things were on the up. Mario Gomez was sent off for a second yellow and before the death, Freiburg found a goal scorer in Florian Niederlechner to earn a share of the points.

Elsewhere in the Bundesliga

Wolfsburg made the short trip to the capital and in the whirling snow managed a hard fought 1-0 win. This keeps the Wolves in sixth and the final spot for Europe next season.

RB Leipzig, playing without star Timo Werner, found that whether you play Hannover home or away, you can find victory. They won 3-0 on the road and they didn’t play all that well.

Augsburg looked desperate last week, but in the heavy snow covered pitch they found those elusive three points as they thoroughly defeated Mainz at home, 3-0. A win keeps them in 15th, but more importantly places them three points between them and the relegation playoff.

Borussia Monchengladbach thought that their match with Schalke was bound for a 0-0 until the keeper Alex Nubel handled the ball outside of the box and received a red card for his efforts. The Foals found the back of the net twice to go to second in the table.

Werder Bremen will be kicking themselves as the played Nurnberg to a 1-1 draw. The visitors from the city-state of Northern Germany were the better side and yet the relegation threatened club was able to nick a goal to keep their faint relegation survival hopes alive.

Hoffenheim has found that they cannot catch a break. For Fortuna Dusseldorf, this 1-1 draw means that they will yet again move further up the table as they hope their Bundesliga return is more than just one season.

Prost’s Bundesliga POTW

Willi Orban as captain of Leipzig is one everyone looks to when organizing the defense. Its a rare time when you are able to do that and score two goals to lead your team to victory.