1. FC Köln also lost at Hertha BSC and ended the Bundesliga year with a negative series. That could have been prevented in Berlin. Leipzig and Wolfsburg, on the other hand, are unstoppable – all Saturday afternoon games at a glance.
Hertha BSC can go into the World Cup break with a good feeling. The Berliners left the relegation zone with the 2-0 (1-0) win over 1.FC Köln – and finally plunged the Rhinelanders, who had been unbeaten for five games, into a crisis.
Hertha was able to take the lead early on. In the ninth minute, Cologne allowed Marvin Plattenhardt to concede, whose precise cross Wilfried Kanga was able to use with a header to make it 1-0. The guests then had a huge chance to equalize shortly afterwards, but striker Sargis Adamyan managed to maneuver the cross from two meters over the empty goal.
It is quite possible that this curious scene will be seen again in the Bundesliga’s annual review. This usury of opportunities continued, on both the Cologne and Berlin sides. The first half was quite entertaining. But the highlights continued to be provided by the very efficient Hertha team. After a shot by Dodi Lukébakio, which FC goalkeeper Martin Schwäbe blocked with his foot, Marco Richter used the rebound to make it 2-0 (54th). It was Hertha’s first win after three defeats.
Werder Bremen – RasenBallsport Leipzig 1: 2 (0: 1)
RB Leipzig continues its successful run. The Saxons celebrated their sixth competitive win in a row. They won 2-1 (1-0) at Werder Bremen. The cup winners confirmed their excellent form in a fast-paced but balanced game. The club has won the twelfth of 16 games since coach Marco Rose took office.
Leipzig’s attacker André Silva (13th minute) gave Leipzig the lead with the first big chance by scoring in the penalty area without resistance. Christian Groß (57th) equalized with a deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area. Xaver Schlager (71st) put the Saxons back in the lead and made the final score.
Bayer Leverkusen – VfB Stuttgart 2: 0 (1: 0)
VfB Stuttgart takes its black series into the new year. The Swabians have been without a win away from home since December 2021. In Leverkusen it was 0: 2 (0: 1).
The team-struggled Stuttgart, who were without captain Wataru Endo (concussion) and Konstantinos Mavropanos (suspended), could not find a way to counter Moussa Diaby’s pace with the first goal. The Frenchman effortlessly dribbled through four opponents. His shot was deflected by Waldemar Anton (30th minute).
The hosts remained the more dangerous team after Jeremy Frimpong took the lead. A volley from the full-back landed on the bar (63′), a goal didn’t count due to being offside (77′). Jonathan Tah then ended Stuttgart’s faint hopes. He made the decision after a corner (82nd).
FC Augsburg – VfL Bochum 0:1 (0:0)
Seven games, seven defeats – when Bochum traveled this season, their opponents were always happy. Until it went to Augsburg. VfL won there 1-0 (0-0).
We’d better not give the first half a low level of space here, after that it didn’t get any better, but it was more exciting. Bochum Antwi-Adjei used a defensive mistake to take the lead because goalkeeper Gikiewicz jumped the ball from one leg to the other and from there the net (58′). Augsburg could have equalised, but Berisha chased a questionable hand penalty over the bar (61′).
TSG Hoffenheim – VfL Wolfsburg 1:2 (1:1)
The run is holding: With the eighth game without defeat in a row, Wolfsburg says goodbye to the World Cup break. This time VfL won 2-1 (1-1) in Hoffenheim, man of the hour is right-back Baku.
Hoffenheim scored twice before the break. First into the opponent’s goal by Baumgartner (42nd), then three minutes later into his own. It was Kabak who slipped the ball into his own net after goalkeeper Baumann had defended himself. In the 56th minute, Baku then scored his third goal in the past four games. This time he first nibbled on Angelino and then tunnelled Baumann. Nice.
