Bundesliga Matchday 32 Review: The One Where BVB Conceded the Title

Seven-goal European thrillers, late comebacks, and close-to-relegation confirmations. That and more in the Bundesliga Matchday 32.

In Bremen, they are still smarting over a perceived mistake in the Pokal semifinal, but a 2-2 comeback draw means faint hope that they can make Europe for next season.

Borussia Dortmund has been in a title chase all season, but again when they knew what sort of result they would need to keep in the fight they gave up from winning position. Without captain Marco Reus, they were flying in the first half with goals from Paco Alcacer and Christian Pulisic. A quick two-goal salvo in five minutes from 40-year old Claudio Pizarro and Kevin Mohwald meant that a share of spoils would be the result.

Bayer Leverkusen was looking like they’d miss out on Europe and now are only in fifth on goal difference after an explosive 6-1 victory over fourth-place Eintracht Frankfurt.

Leverkusen got things started early as Kai Havertz got a goal in the first minutes of the match. The Leverkusen lead went from one to two with a goal from Julian Brandt. Frankfurt pulled on back as Filip Kostic put one past former Frankfurt keeper Lukas Hradecky. Things then went all one direction as Charles Aranguiz scored one and assisted in two more and Lucas Alario scored two. Now, with the teams level on points only goal difference separate Frankfurt in fourth and Leverkusen in fifth.

Hoffenheim and Borussia Monchengladbach both knew that victories would improve their prospects at Champions League qualification, but a share in the spoils transpired in a 2-2 draw which is the proverbial result that helps neither team.

The teams traded goals in both halves as neither was able to take advantage of an opportunity to move into fourth. For Hoffenheim, they have been experiencing a late weakening of form after a strong Spring. Gladbach has been struggling all Spring while they were keeping in the title race in the Fall half.

Elsewhere in the Bundesliga

Stuttgart’s survival hopes were mostly dashed on the rocks as they fell 3-1 to a Hertha Berlin side with nothing to play for. VfB now knows that the best they can hope for is the relegation playoff position of 16th where they currently reside.

Bayern Munich had a difficult time with Hannover 96 to confirm their position within the Bundesliga as champions. With the result of BVB, the championship is within their grasp and for Hannover, there is a chance for salvation as 16th is still in the cards.

Wolfsburg has been in an odd position as they will no longer have coach Bruno Labbadia for next season and yet they dispatched Nurnberg 2-0 in a match that keeps them in the European places and FCN still in with a chance at the relegation playoff.

RB Leipzig’s visit to Mainz 05 was not as well as they anticipated, but their 3-3 draw means they have confirmed qualification for the Champions League for next season.

SC Freiburg and Fortuna Dusseldorf are coached by two of the most experienced coaches in Christian Streich and Friedhelm Funkel, and with their limited resources had already confirmed Bundesliga for another season as they played out to a 1-1 draw.

Schalke 04 knew that they needed to earn one point from their final three matches if Stuttgart lost to confirm they would be in the Bundesliga another season, and in a rather poor match earned just that in a 0-0 draw.

Bundesliga Player of the Week

Charles Aranguiz scored one and assisted two goals in three of the first four for Bayer Leverkusen. His performance in the first half was spectacular and inspired the performance to lead the team to victory.