Uberprufung der Bundesliga: Cologne lose again, Hoffenheim win late thriller

Round five of games in the Bundesliga took place over two days this midweek. Cologne were looking to finally pick up a win, their first domestically this season, while Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund were hoping to extend their good form. Hannover, this seasons surprise package so far, were also hoping they would be able to re-ascend to the top of the Bundesliga with a midweek win.

Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-0 VfB Stuttgart

The week began in Gladbach, where Borussia Moenchengladbach took on VfB Stuttgart in an early kick-off. The home side were coming off the back of a 2-2 draw away to Red Bull Leipzig at the weekend, while Stuttgart were 2-0 winners over Wolfsburg last time out. Stuttgart would be as fortunate this time though and their luck initially ran out in the 57th minute of this game when Raffael put the home side ahead. When Thorgan Hazard was fouled inside the area in the 74th minute, Raffael stepped up to seal the points.

Augsburg 1-0 Red Bull Leipzig

At the weekend, Red Bull Leipzig took part in the aforementioned 2-2 draw away to Gladbach while Augsburg ran out 2-1 winners in Frankfurt against Eintracht. Augsburg have been quietly going about their business, picking up subtly impressive wins along the way and Tuesday night was no different. An early goal from Michael Gregoritsch in the 4th minute rounded off a rapid counter-attack and ultimately secured another win for Augsburg here.

Schalke 0-3 Bayern Munich

Having beaten Mainz 4-0 at home on Saturday, Bayern will have been positive of repeating those exploits against Schalke on Tuesday evening. Schalke picked up 3 points themselves on Saturday, beating Werder Bremen 2-1 away, but will have had no illusions as to how stern this test would be in comparison. Bayern took the lead in the 25th minute when Naldo was judged to have handled the ball in the area. It took the video referee to confirm the decision but, when it was finally confirmed, Robert Lewandowski stepped up to put the ball in the back of the net from 12 yards out. Four minutes later James Rodriguez scored his first goal for the club from inside the area to double the away sides lead. The game was over in the 75th minute when Arturo Vidal wrapped up the win with an emphatic finish.

Wolfsburg 1-1 Werder Bremen

The last game on Tuesday came from Wolfsburg who hosted Werder Bremen. Both teams suffered losses at the weekend – Bremen at home to Schalke, Wolfsburg away to Stuttgart – so will have been hoping to give a better account of themselves here. It was the home side who took the lead in the 26th minute, when loanee Divock Origi scored his first goal for the club. That was cancelled out on 56 minutes when Fin Bartels equalised to claim a point for Bremen.

Cologne 0-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Wednesdays early kick-off came from Cologne where Eintracht Frankfurt were looking to take advantage of the host dreadful start to the season by stabilising their own turbulent form. Cologne were battered 5-0 in Dortmund on Sunday, while Frankfurt suffered an ignominious defeat to Augsburg on home soil on Saturday. This one was won inside 22 minutes when Majit Gacinovic was fouled inside the area and Sebastien Haller stepped up to convert the resultant spot kick, and score the only goal of the game.

Hamburg 0-3 Borussia Dortmund

Hamburg are another side who have had an inconsistent start to the season, characterised by their 2-0 loss in Hannover on Friday night. Dortmund, on the other hand, have not conceded a goal yet this campaign, a record which was extended in the 5-0 win over Cologne at Signal Iduna Park on Sunday. Their good form would be prolonged in this game and started when Shinji Kagawa put them ahead on 24 minutes. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang doubled that lead on 63 minutes, before Christian Pulisic finished the game on 79 to keep Dortmund top.

Hertha Berlin 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen continued their patchy start to the season with a resounding 4-0 home win over Freiburg at the weekend, while Hertha went into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw away at Hoffenheim. It was the home side who would take an early here through Salomon Kalou in 16 minutes. 8 minutes later, former Leverkusen man Matthew Leckie doubled that lead to leave his former side in deep trouble. The game looked as if it would end in a comfortable Hertha win, until Julian Brandt set up a nervy finish 6 minutes from time which Leverkusen were unable to capitalise on.

Mainz 2-3 Hoffenheim

The game of the round came from the Coface Arena where Mainz, 4-0 losers in Munich on Saturday, face Hoffenheim, who drew 1-1 at home to Hertha Berlin. The home side took the lead through Danny Latza within 6 minutes, the doubled their lead 10 minutes later through Yoshinori Muto. Hoffenheim’s comeback began 5 minutes later though when Nadiem Amiri scored from outside the box to give the visitors hope. Sandro Wagner levelled the scored right on half-time to ensure the game was on an even keel going into the second half. Just when it looked as if the points would be shared, Mark Uth popped up to make sure the points went back to Sinsheim.

Freiburg 1-1 Hannover

The final game of the week saw Freiburg welcome Hannover to the MAGE SOLAR Stadion. Freiburg were thrashed 4-0 away in Leverkusen at the weekend, while Hannover temporarily reached the summit of the Bundesliga after a 2-0 home win against Hamburg. It was Hannover who took the lead here with the seemingly prolific Martin Harnik scoring in the 65th minute. It wouldn’t stay that way however, as Nils Peterson rescued a point for Freiburg with 7 minutes remaining.

Round 6 fixtures

Friday 22nd September

Bayern Munich vs. Wolfsburg (19.30)

Saturday 23rd September

Hoffenheim vs. Schalke (14.30)

Mainz vs. Hertha Berlin

Red Bull Leipzig vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

VfB Stuttgart vs. Augsburg

Werder Bremen vs. Freiburg

Borussia Dortmund vs. Borussia Moenchengaldbach (17.30)

Sunday 24th September

Hannover vs. Cologne (14.30)

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Hamburg (17.00)