Bundesliga Matchday 26: The One Before the Break

The top teams continue to push on, the international break halts progress, and coaching changes don’t change Schalke.

Bayern Munich has been on a run that, despite European slip-ups, has been remarkable. A thorough trashing of Mainz 6-0 was perfect example of that.

This is the old Bayern we have grown to admire within the Bundesliga. They took an early lead, death blow to a team visiting the Allianz Arena. Goals from Robert Lewandowski, James Rodriguez, and Kinsley Coman in the first half were followed by the completion of Rodriguez hat trick and a first goal for Canadian Alfonso Davies. While leading on goal difference, Bayern is now the leader in the league and the Klassiker is when we will decide who will win the Bundesliga.

Borussia Dortmund looked to be on the ropes and yet they pulled themselves back up to win 3-2 and keep pace with Bayern Munich.

Hertha Berlin doesn’t play in front of capacity crowds at the Berlin Olimpiastadion often, it seats nearly 80, 000 people. So with a full stadium behind, them the atmosphere was against BVB. Two goals for Salomon Kalou gave Hertha  2-1 lead at the break. The comeback was one where BVB was pushing to the very last minute for a go ahead goal. Against a deep lying defense, captain Marco Reus scored a goal that sent the traveling fans into raptures. Der Klassiker on April 6th, and the title race looks to be one of with plenty of twists left.

Elsewhere in the Bundesliga

Eintracht Frankfurt found one goal easy to come by, but perhaps missed out on getting more as they easily dispatched FC Nurnberg, 1-0.

RB Leipzig piled on the misery for Schalke even after firing Dominic Tedesco, 1-0, to keep up for third.

Borussia Monchengladbach could only get a 1-1 draw with SC Freiburg, this deepens the issue of a high flying Frankfurt coming up from behind to take the final Champions League place that seemed a lock for them two months ago.

Bremen again established themselves in the European race as they thoroughly defeated Leverkusen, 3-1.

Stuttgart came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim. The point pulls the Swabian’s to within three points of Schalke. There is the chance they can get through this, but it is still hairy times.

Wolfsburg has been around the Europa League places and set the league to know what they are on about with a 5-2 win over Dusseldorf.

FC Augsburg gave their fans what they needed in their 3-1 victory over Hannover–movement up the table and away from the relegation zone.

Bundesliga POTW: James Rodriguez

When you score a hat trick that will be able to get Bayern the leg up in the title race, then you really have outshone everyone else.