There were six games in the Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon. The fans are offered a lot of average goods, but things get down to business twice. Leverkusen took the points in Leipzig and scored seven goals in Wolfsburg.
RB Leipzig suffered their first home defeat in the presence of Jürgen Klopp. Despite taking the lead, they suffered a 1:3 (1:2) defeat against Bayer Leverkusen in their last home game of the year. As a result, the Saxons fell from second place in the Bundesliga table to fourth place behind the Rhinelanders, who are now tied on points.
In front of 46,053 spectators, Xaver Schlager (35th minute) gave Leipzig the lead. Martin Terrier (40th) equalized before ex-Leipzig player Patrik Schick (44th) turned the game around in the first half. Montrell Culbreath made everything clear for Leverkusen in stoppage time (90+7).
There was a special moment in the 79th minute. Timo Werner was back in the RB squad like he was last in the Union game. In the 79th minute he came on as a substitute to great applause from the fans and chants of “Timo Werner” – for the first time in a home game this season. The club’s 29-year-old record goalscorer still has a valid contract until next summer. But a change in winter is possible. According to media reports, the San José Earthquakes from the USA have signaled interest.
VfL Wolfsburg – SC Freiburg 3:4 (1:1)
VfL Wolfsburg is going into the future with Daniel Bauer as head coach, but still has a lot of work to do under the new coach. Shortly after the announcement of Bauer’s promotion, the VW club suffered a 3:4 (1:1) draw against SC Freiburg in a turbulent Bundesliga game and is therefore stuck in the bottom of the table at the winter break.
In front of 22,045 spectators, three goals from Dzenan Pejcinovic (13th, 49th, 69th minutes) were not enough for Wolfsburg’s third win in a row. Philipp Treu (5th), Vincenzo Grifo (56th, penalty kick), Jenson Seelt (71st, own goal) and Derry Scherhant (78th) ensured Freiburg’s victory.
A good hour before the start of the game, the VW club announced that Bauer would be promoted from interim to head coach. After his successful work in recent weeks, the previous U19 coach will receive a contract until June 30, 2027.
“Daniel once again took over the team in a difficult phase and not only stabilized it, but also developed it week after week. He managed to form a strong unit and bring new life into the team,” VfL managing director Peter Christiansen was quoted as saying in the club’s statement. “We are convinced that Daniel is the right man to achieve the best possible sporting success this season and beyond,” said the new VfL sports director Pirmin Schwegler.
1. FC Cologne – 1. FC Union Berlin 0:2 (0:0)
Newcomer Cologne did not manage to break free at the end of the year. Coach Lukas Kwasniok’s team lost to the Berliners when they met former FC coach Steffen Baumgart after conceding a late goal and being outnumbered 0-1 (0-0) and have been waiting for a win for six games.
The Köpenickers happily took the lead in stoppage time (90+1) thanks to joker András Schäfer and celebrated two Bundesliga wins in a row for the first time this season. Cologne’s Rav van den Berg was the last man to see the red card after a handball (83′).
While Union goes into the winter break with 21 points, Cologne has 16 points and still has a bit of a buffer against the relegation zone despite a winless streak.
Hamburger SV – Eintracht Frankfurt 1:1 (1:1)
HSV remains strong at home against European Cup teams and has extended its series. The North Germans drew 1-1 (1-1) against Champions League participants Eintracht Frankfurt and ended their fourth home game in a row without defeat.
In front of 57,000 spectators in the sold-out Volksparkstadion, Albert Sambi Lokonga (19th minute) gave the hosts the lead. Hugo Larsson (26th) equalized shortly afterwards. An offside goal by Hamburg’s substitute Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira (80th) was disallowed after the video assistant intervened.
FC Augsburg – Werder Bremen 0-0
Manuel Baum missed the last goal in his short-term job as interim coach of FC Augsburg. In the 0-0 draw against SV Werder Bremen, who had not won for the fifth time in a row, it was not enough to achieve the hoped-for home win. However, Baum was very close to his second win in the third game as Sandro Wagner’s interim successor.
In long injury time, substitute striker Phillip Tietz headed the ball onto the crossbar. Before that, a goal by Alexis Claude-Maurice was disallowed after a VAR review due to an alleged foul play in the making (80th). And a shot from substitute Elvis Rexhbecaj hit the post (76′).
VfB Stuttgart – TSG Hoffenheim 0-0
“We’re spoiling your party!” the Hoffenheim fans unfurled a banner before kick-off. Both teams then took over together. You don’t need to know anything more about this game.
SUF
