Bundesliga Matchday 22: When BVB Lost it’s MOJO

Nurnberg found they can resist BVB, Bayern get a scare but pull out three, and European chasers gain ground. This and so much more in Bundesliga Matchday 22.

Borussia Dortmund has been a changed force under Lucian Favre, sadly their lead at the top has been whittled down to three by a 0-0 draw with Nurnberg.

Earlier, FC Nurnberg’s decision to not replace their fired Sporting Director or manager with a permanent replacement looked to be just another mistake. And yet, keeper Christian Mathenia stood on his head and shot after shot from a team without Marco Reus failed to find the target. Title race still on.

Bayern Munich Friday evening visited local side FC Augsburg and were feeling lucky. While thinking of the Champions League against Liverpool midweek, Bayern nearly laid an egg in a 3-2 match.

Augsburg coach went for it early as from the kickoff the blitzed down the wing to have a shot go off of Leon Goretzka. Kingsley Coman put two away for Munich, but until the end, the relegation-threatened Bavarian club fought to earn an emotional victory in the midst of defeat.

Since hiring Peter Bosz, Leverkusen seems to do no wrong. Their 2-0 victory over local rivals Fortuna Düsseldorf moved them to fifth and the dreams of Europe are very much back on.

Despite a Thursday night dalliance with a Russian side, Leverkusen put their best foot forward at home. Kai Havertz is the new young German sensation and his picking up the ball in the Düsseldorf half and getting on the scoring cross from Kevin Volland is an example of why he is so highly touted.

Elsewhere in the Bundesliga

It was 3 v 5 in Frankfurt as the Eagles hosted Gladbach. A 1-1 draw helps Frankfurt while they balance Europe on Thursday while the Foals missed a chance to consolidate their spot in the Champions League.

Werder Bremen was looking zero points straight in the face when Claudio Pizzaro stepped up to take the free kick and equalizing against Hertha Berlin. The free kick goal makes him the highest scoring foreigner in the Bundesliga as well as the oldest.

Wolfsburg took their frustrations out on Mainz, the Wolves find themselves now in sixth after a 3-0 convincing victory.

Hoffenheim finally earned their just deserts as they found a victory in defeating Hannover 3-0. This moves the club within touching distance of the Europa League places.

Stuttgart had a 1-0 lead and they lost it. Leipzig came from behind for a 3-1 victory that further cements their claim to fourth in the table.

Schalke and Freiburg played the match that can only be defined as ‘If a tree falls in the forest’. The 0-0 result does nobody any good.

Prost Bundesliga Player of the Week:  Nurnberg’s Christian Mathenia